I awoke the next morning sprawled on my bed, fully dressed and surrounded by open books. I looked at the clock and sat up. It was already 7:00 pm. I had stayed up half the night/day working on the paper Neferet had assigned which had actually turned out to be educational. Having a human consort had many advantages. Human blood, as I had learned several times firsthand, is empowering to the drinker and has healing properties. It's at its strongest when drunken directly from the human donor. That was the main reason for having a human consort besides that actual pleasure involved. The risks were far greater. I already knew what could happen if the imprint was broken. It had actually torn Heath's soul when I had slept with Loren. Broken imprints were painful for the vampyre, but especially so for the human.
What I found to be most interesting, however, was the book on the history of past Human/ High Priestess relationships. There were several instances in which human consorts were used against their High Priestess to harm her in some way or another. For those High Priestesses that did chose to have a human consort, they always seemed to be walking a very thin line. On top of this was the fact that the human was never really able to have any kind of a life. The human's whole world after an imprint revolves around the one he is imprinted to. In the case of High Priestesses it is even worse. Because of the danger involved, the humans were often kept very close and under constant guard. Neferet had been right; there were a lot of complications involved in having a human consort.
I stretched out sitting up and rubbing my eyes. Though I had only gotten five hours of sleep it had still been peaceful and I was feeling much better than I had yesterday. I climbed out of bed, petting Nala as I went, and headed to the bathroom. I climbed in the shower letting the water run over me for a moment just enjoying the warmth. It was the weekend and I was glad that I was finally going to have a chance to relax. I was also really looking forward to the movie we were going to see tonight. It would be nice just to get a way for a while and hang out with my friends.
I climbed out of the shower and wrapped myself with a towel as I walked to my dresser. On top I noticed my phone was lit up and that I had two messages. Heath of course. I didn't even look at his messages, but quickly typed:
I'm going to the movies tonight. Please don't show up!
I hit send and then began rummaging through my drawer for my clothes. I decided on a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. I was going to keep it simple today. I towel dried my hair letting it fall down around me in waves. I knew it would dry fine by itself and I really wanted to get down stairs and grab some breakfast. I slid on some tennis shoes grabbing my paper and made my way out the door.
"Morning," Stevie Rae said sitting at the table eating a bowl of Lucky Charms.
"You're up early," I said joining her.
"Nah, I fell asleep here last night. It was too late for me to go back so I just slept on the couch," she said taking a bite of her cereal.
"Stevie Rae! You know you were more than welcome to sleep in your old bed!" I scolded her and she laughed. "It would have been nice having a roommate again for one night," I smiled at her.
"Yeah, sometimes I miss being able to see you all the time," she frowned. "We don't seem to get to talk as much anymore."
"Yeah, it has been awhile since we had some girl talk, at least with just the two of us," I said thinking.
"Well we're alone now," She grinned, "why don't you tell me what's been going on?"
"I wouldn't even know where to begin," I said laughing lightly.
"Me either," she said shaking her head.
"Trouble with the red fledglings?" I asked.
"Not anything to terrible," she said nonchalantly, "just a few bad attitudes I've had to work on."
"Let me guess, Venus?" I asked raising an eyebrow and taking a big bite of Count Choculah.
"Yeah, but she's adjusting. You know we informed all of our families that we were alive this past week," she said softly.
"Oh, Stevie Rae," I said giving her a hug. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I just wasn't completely sure how I was feeling about it. It was really awkward, Z. I thought my mother passed out when she heard my voice on the other end of the phone. But she didn't, she was just in shock," Stevie Rae said, her Okie twang sounding thicker than normal.
I sighed watching her face, "you know parent visitations are coming up soon?"
"Yeah," Stevie Rae nodded. "I think they're going to come, but not all of the other red fledgling's families were as accepting. Turning into a fledgling is hard enough to accept, but knowing that your child is something else entirely…" she let her thought trail off.
"Venus's parents?" I asked.
"And a few of the others," She nodded.
"How much did you tell them?" I asked curious.
"Just that we hadn't really died, but gone through I different kind of change. I didn't think it was a good idea to fill them in on all the details."
"Yeah, probably not," I agreed.
"Morning," Erin said as her and Shaunee joined us at the table.
"Did you get your paper done?" Shaunee asked.
"Yep," I smiled holding it up.
"Good, so that means you can go to the movie tonight, right?" Shaunee continued raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, I will definitely be there," I said standing up and rinsing out my bowl.
"Good, because if I have to sit through another movie night alone with the nerd herd…" Aphrodite said entering the room.
"Please" Erin said.
"Just please," Shaunee finished.
"Besides you definitely weren't alone last night," Stevie Rae chimed in. "I'm not even sure you saw half the movie with all the kissing you and Darius were doing."
"Which really threw off the movie," Erin said.
"We kept hearing moist kissing noises in scenes where they didn't belong," Shaunee finished.
"And I say a big whatever to you," Aphrodite said moving passed us to grab a Fiji water from the fridge.
I shook my head, "I have to get going, I'll see you all at lunch," I said making sure I had my paper and leaving the girl's dorm. The night was actually cloudless and I relaxed even more upon seeing the stars that lined the sky. A few fledglings were up and around, but most were still in there dorms.
"Priestess," two fifth former boys walked by saluting me.
I nodded back and continued walking making my way into Nyx's temple and up the stairs.
"Good morning," Neferet said holding out her hand as soon as I walked in.
I handed her my paper and stood there waiting as she began looking over what I had written. She smiled a few times and then looked at me, "did you find this assignment helpful in answering your questions?"
"Yes," I admitted truthfully. "I understand your reasoning, but I still don't know what I'm supposed to do about the situation I'm already in," I said softly.
She sighed setting my paper down and gazed at me intently. "You know that the best course of action is to stay away from him," she said gently.
"I know that. The problem is he won't stay away from me," I said making a face.
"Mmm," Neferet agreed her face turning thoughtful. "Perhaps it's time we thought about assigning you a guard."
"A guard? Like warriors around me twenty-four-seven?" I asked not really caring for that idea.
She sighed, "I know it sounds like an inconvenience, but really it might be good for you, especially if you are going to continue leaving campus. We cannot afford to have any accidents right now, Zoey."
I knew she was right about that. The people of faith and the local law enforcement were literally watching our every move. Though Detective Marks was on our side, most of the other detectives weren't and most of the community had banded against us, as well, after my mother's kidnapping. It was too bad that Neferet couldn't have just zapped my mother's memory of the whole ordeal. She had cleaned out what she could such as some of the more traumatic events that had taken place, but there were some things that she couldn't erase without it looking suspicious. And, we didn't need any more accusations coming our way.
I looked up at her, "I'm supposed to be going to the movies with my friends tonight. Darius, Stark and Erik are all going with us. If they can keep him from me, keep him from making a scene, can we wait on assigning me any more warriors?" I asked her slowly.
She was silent for a moment considering my words. "We'll see how it goes," she said finally and I breathed out a sigh of relief. "I want you to work on meditation again today. You weren't able to accomplish much yesterday."
"I know," I said suddenly remembering why hadn't accomplished anything yesterday. I felt my face growing pale as I thought about the pain the girl had been in.
"Zoey?" Neferet questioned.
I shook myself looking up at her, "sorry," I mumbled.
She took a step towards me, her eyes filled with concern, "are you alright?" She lifted her hand up resting it on my cheek as she peered into my eyes.
"Yes," I said swallowing. "I'm fine, I was just thinking about something, really, I'm fine," I babbled.
She narrowed her eyes but didn't press the matter. "I'll see you after class," she said turning and heading out the door.
I sighed as she left. I really didn't want to try out these meditation techniques. What was I supposed to write? 'I'm not sure if they help me focus the elements because they seem to be invoking visions instead?' Probably not. Plus I wasn't even certain they were visions. It didn't feel like it had when I had entered the vision with Aphrodite. It was different.
I picked up the book and looked at the second technique. This one actually looked alright. There was no funky poses at least. I began reading:
The purpose of this meditation is to become one with the world around you, to know your surroundings and to let those surroundings become an extension of being.
Ok that sounded extremely philosophical.
Step one: Find your center. Find a place of stillness and quiet around you and take a seat in a cross legged position. Make sure your knees are resting firmly on the floor allowing for strength and support.
I looked down making sure that I was seated properly and then continued.
As with all meditation practices, breathing is essential. Take a full breath in counting slowly as you go and then exhale just as slowly, breathing out. Once you have established a steady breathing rhythm the counting will no longer be necessary. Begin to focus on the world around you. Listen to the sounds as well as what is behind them. For example, the rustling of a leaf could be caused by the wind or a creature of the earth. Knowing your surroundings is crucial in the process of becoming one with nature.
Ok a lot of this sounded really corny, but I began doing it as instructed anyway. I controlled my breathing counting to eight as I breathed in and again to eight as I breathed out. I was surprised when my mind seemed to begin to separate from my body. I knew I was in my body still, but I was so relaxed that I seemed to be drifting. I began listening to the sounds around me and suddenly I could hear things I hadn't before. Foot steps down stairs, a tree branch hitting a window in the next room, an owl somewhere out on the grounds. It was almost eerie. I crossed over then beginning to think of Nyx. I felt her presence as I envisioned her face and soon I could feel the elements flowing through me. I brought both of my arms up, turning my hands so that my palms were face up and began concentrating on the earth. It only seemed fitting since that was what I was listening for. I let the element flow through me and smiled as the room began to smell of fresh flowers and grass. The birds I had heard chirping seemed a lot closer and the sounds of babbling brook filled my ears.
"Oh goddess," Neferet's voice whispered as she approached me. I didn't open my eyes but I could hear her foot prints and they walked across her office on soft grass. She moved around me kneeling in front of me, her hands gently grasping my upper arms. "Zoey," her voice sounded sugary and I slowly opened my eyes. I nearly jumped as I gazed around the room, but Neferet's hands held me in place. It no longer looked like Nefert's office, but like a beautiful meadow with wild flowers and fresh spring grass. Birds flew through the air singing and I laughed a little as Skylar jumped up trying to catch one.
"I think this meditation technique works," I said my eyes wide with wonder. "At least with earth, it does."
"Yes," she agreed laughing lightly. "Close your eyes," she said softly and I obeyed. "Now, I want you to begin breathing again as you did in the beginning. Let yourself become centered once more and then thank and release earth.
I slowly took a breath in making sure I inhaled for eight beats and then exhaled for the same amount of time. I waited until I felt as if I were drifting again and then thanked earth and sent it away. The room was quiet again as I opened my eyes. There was no grass or flowers, just desks and books and Neferet in front of me grinning brightly. She stood pulling me up with her and then pulled me into her arms.
"I'm so proud of you, Zoeybird!" She said brightly but pulled back a little when I flinched. She hadn't called me that since before everything had happened. And even then I wasn't entirely sure she hadn't just been calling me that to try and keep me from knowing the truth about her. She tilted my face up and looked into my eyes, "I'm sorry," she said uncertainly.
I nodded and then slowly hugged her back. I was silent a moment, feeling slightly emotional and I knew she could sense it. I was surprised at how much hearing her say those words hurt. How much it reminded me of losing someone I cared about.
"I'm sorry," I apologized.
"For what?" she asked confused pulling back to look at me.
"For over reacting like that, it's just that I haven't heard you say that since, well…" I let my thoughts trail off.
She frowned, "I'm sorry I caused you so much pain, Zoey," she said softly.
"It's not that," I said trying to think of how to explain this to her. "It just reminded me of when I first arrived here."
She seemed to understand what I was saying and gave me another quick hug before turning back to her desk.
"So I think that meditation technique has worked the best so far," I said changing the subject. "I didn't really have good results with the first one." I didn't mention that I had only gotten through the first two poses.
"Really?" she asked looking down at the book. "I would have thought this one would have helped you focus fire extremely well," she said looking back up at me.
I shifted uncomfortably and heard her clear her throat. I looked up to see mist green eyes boring into me and grimaced, "I didn't finish it. I was having a hard time concentrating when I tried that one."
She nodded in understanding, "well we can give it another try tomorrow. Perhaps we'll work on it after I return so that I can help you along."
I sighed, sitting down in front of her desk. I really didn't want to redo that technique.
"What are we doing in vamp soc today?" I asked lightly.
She smiled, "I suppose you'll just have to go to class and find out like everyone else."
I made a face at her and she laughed as the bell rang. "Come on," she said gesturing for me to stand once more. "You can walk with me."
Neferet and I were the last ones to enter the classroom. I took my usual seat in the back as she began to lecture.
"Open you text books to page two twenty-two," She said already filling the room with an energy all her own. I was still amazed every time I watched her present a lesson. It was never boring and always energetic.
I looked down at the page. We were studying covens.
"As you are all sixth formers," Neferet began, "most of you will soon be making the change into an adult vampyre. This means that you will all soon be joining a coven, whether you decide to remain with this coven or branch out to join another. Who can tell me what they know about covens? Yes, Brittney," Neferet said smiling at the girl sitting a few rows in front of me.
"In our society covens are matriarchic. The High Priestess or High Priestesses are the head of the covens followed by the council which is also made up of women. After the Council are the warriors and then the fledglings fall beneath that," Brittney explained.
"Very good," Neferet beamed at her. "As vampyres, we are made up of several covens and each coven has a High Priestess and a council. But each coven is also held accountable to the High Council and an elected High Priestess of all Vampyres which you all know is a position that has recently been filled by Mallika. Will someone read the first paragraph of the text?" Neferet asked. "Thank you Adam," she said to a very hot looking guy sitting near the windows.
"Though a coven is a sort of family in vampyre society it is also a source of power. For those within a coven…" Adam stopped reading as Dragon rushed into the room looking anxious.
"Excuse me Priestess," he said saluting to Neferet and then crossing the room to her side. He whispered to her quickly and I watched as her face instantly became concerned.
She turned back to the class as Dragon left the room her face once again completely relaxed. "Alright, for the rest of the hour I would like you all to work in groups of three reading the rest of the chapter. There is a section in your handbook you will each need to fill out and then leave on my desk. If I'm not back before the bell rings I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I will see you on Monday," Neferet finished with a no nonsense expression written on her face. I watched as students immediately began moving their desks together. "Zoey," Neferet's voice called from near the door. She raised two eyebrows at me and I knew that meant I was to follow her.
I stood up making my way across the room and out the door. "What's going on?" I asked as soon as I reached the hallway.
Neferet began walking and I was practically running to keep up with her, "A fledgling was found injured and unconscious outside our walls." She pushed through the large oak doors and out onto the school grounds heading towards the infirmary.
"How bad?" I asked as we entered the next building and began moving down the halls.
"I'm unsure of that as of now," she said pushing the infirmary doors open and entering the room. She stopped for a moment and then pressed forward, "what happened?" she asked Natasha as she made her way across the room.
I quickly followed on her heels and then froze as I looked at the hospital bed in front of me. Sitting there with beautiful liquid brown eyes and long silky black hair that fell to her waist was the girl I'd been dreaming about for the last few weeks.
