I chewed my spaghetti quietly listening to the buzzing voices around me. Most of the fledglings seemed excited knowing that their parents would soon be arriving on campus, but I figured most of the fledglings didn't really understand what was going on around them. I could see from where she sat next to Jaylynn that Marla was at least a little anxious, though she was trying extremely hard not to show it.

On the outside Marla appeared to be listening intently to everything Jaylynn's friend Aimee was saying, but small subtleties gave away that she was really concentrating on something else. Her eyes were focused on Aimee, but I noted that she was also fidgeting uncomfortably. Her foot tapped restlessly on the floor, while her fingers played with her hair, winding small strands around each finger and then releasing them so that they curled softly around her face.

I sighed and turned my attention to Stevie Rae who was trying her best to comfort the red fledglings at the table next to ours. They also had a lot to deal with. Their parents had just been informed that their children were not only still alive, but had been turned into a different kind of fledgling all together. I wasn't sure what kind of fall out there would be, but I knew explanations would be wanted.

"It's going to be fine ya'll," Stevie Rae said softly.

"If by fine you mean all hell's about to break lose, then yeah, we're all great," Venis sneered at her, flipping her hair and rolling her eyes.

"For once I have to agree with her bitchiness," Kramisha said taking a bite of her lunch, "this probably isn't going to be the best parent visitation we ever had."

"Especially if the Elders try are planning something sinister," Damien whispered across the table.

"Please," Erin said rolling her eyes at Damien and then taking a drink of water.

"Just please," Shaunee finished for her. "They're not stupid enough to really think they can get away with killing someone right in front of us."

"Especially with all of these warriors around," Erin agreed.

"I wouldn't bet on that," Aphrodite said smugly. "They're already pretty sure of themselves."

I agreed with that. I knew from my own personal experience with the step-loser that he thought he was above the law because he was following the "law of God." If he or any of the other Elders thought they could get away with anything tonight, they'd try it.

"But, they'd have to do it themselves right?" Jack asked. "The scary demon creatures can't cross your defensive line, right Zoey?"

I swallowed another bite of my food thinking about my answer. "As of right now, no they can't, but my spiritual defense only works on spiritual attacks. Once they take on a more physical form…."

"Than its open season on our asses," Aphrodite finished dryly and I gave her a look.

I turned my attention back towards Jack, "The spirits can't cross the line, but that doesn't mean that the Elders or any other 'church members' the Elders have gotten to wont try to lure some Fledglings off campus. That's why Darius and Stark are out making sure all areas of the grounds are covered. You have to remember that besides our little group, none of the other students here know what is going on."

"Don't you think that maybe it would've been a good idea to tell them?" Shaunee asked.

"They're trying to prevent an all out war. Remember what Shakina said about isolation?" Damien asked. "They don't want the students to fear their parents especially if their parents aren't involved."

"Well I hate to break it to you, but I'm pretty sure we're already at war with the Elders," Shaunee said taking a bite of bread. "If you haven't noticed there are demons surrounding the school waiting for our blood so that they can fully enter our world!"

"I completely agree, twin," Erin said nodding.

I sighed in exasperation, "we are at war with the Elders, but we want to be careful not to extend that to the entire human race again."

"Yeah and to Neferet that idea is probably just a little bit too tempting right about now," Aphrodite said and I glared at her.

"She's trying Aphrodite," I said softly, "this can't be easy for her, but she's trying to make the right choices."

"Yeah, probably because she's afraid she'll get caught if she tries anything else," Aphrodite said giving me a look. "Look, I know you want to believe in her Zoey, and I think when it comes to you and the other Vampyres that Neferet is back to normal. But hating humans has always been a part of Neferet and I don't believe that is just going to go away."

I didn't want to talk about this. I knew Neferet still had her issues with the human race, but I also knew she was trying her hardest not to let that influence her decisions. I had seen it in her eyes more than once.

As if she had read my thoughts Aphrodite said, "Maybe you're only seeing what she wants you to see."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Aphrodite, I believe in her. She wants to protect us, yes, but she is more than aware of who the real enemy is," I said a little heated. And if I had to I would make sure that Neferet stayed aware. I wasn't going to lose her again!

"Fine," Aphrodite said watching my face, "just be careful, ok? And just for the record," Aphrodite said raising her eyebrows, "I don't think she'd turn against you this time, Zoey. I think she'd try to take you with her."

"What?!" I asked completely irritated.

"Ok, maybe we should discuss something else," Damien suggested at my outburst. I noted that several tables in the dining hall were now looking in our direction, but I didn't care.

"No," I said answering Damien and lowering my voice. "No, I want to know what Aphrodite means by that." I knew Aphrodite meant well, but frankly, as much as she thought Neferet's hatred for humans would affect Neferet's choices I also thought that the hurt Neferet had caused Aphrodite was effecting her beliefs.

"I'm just saying you're involved this time, Zoey. It's your parents who are coming against us, trying to hurt us and trying to hurt you!" She sighed shaking her head, "Look I'm not saying any of this will happen for certain, I'm just saying that she may try to use that. Just be careful that she doesn't pull you in."

I opened my mouth to argue it further but at that moment Neferet's voice came across the school intercom announcing that it was time for the parent visitations and that we should all make our way to the reception hall in Nyx's temple. I stood up taking my food tray and dumping it out. I was very much aware of my friend's eyes on my back, but once again I didn't care. I was frustrated, how could Aphrodite think that I would be so blind that I would just follow Neferet down that path of hatred if she chose to go that way again? More to the point I didn't believe Neferet would go that way again because I wasn't going to let her! I would do whatever I could to make sure that Nyx didn't lose her again.

I shook my head at myself. Who was I kidding? Though I was sure Nyx didn't want to lose her again, I knew more of my efforts came from the fact that I didn't want to lose her. My mother had disowned me, my father had disappeared years ago, I didn't even want to get started on the step-loser, and though I had grandma she lived a couple hours away. I had come to start depending on Neferet again over the last month. In my mind she was the mother I had lost, and I wanted to keep her.

We made our way over to the reception hall silently. I knew Damien, Jack, Erin and Shaunee were unsure of what to say. Stevie Rae was still trying to console (hehe Damien would love my use of the word) the red fledglings, and Aphrodite was just trying to give me my space. I supposed that was ok, I needed a few seconds to cool down, and I definitely needed time to get my head on straight before I had to deal with this parent visitation situation.

The temple reception hall was already packed when we arrived. I smiled a little as I watched many of the fledglings running to their parents and being embraced. Sure there were still a few awkward situations. Parents who still weren't quite sure how to handle the fact that their child had been Marked, but so far there were no outward signs of hate.

"There are my parents," Damien said sighing. "I guess I should go and see what manly gift they decided to bring me this time." I thought that perhaps Damien should be more concerned with the fact that his parents were meeting Jack for the first time, but Damien seemed relatively unfazed as he grabbed Jacks hand and began leading the way across the reception hall.

"I see our parents too," Shaunee said nudging Erin as they, too, walked away. I looked at Aphrodite and both of us sighed. Even though I was still frustrated at what she had said over dinner, I knew she always had my back and for that I was grateful.

"Do you think your parents will be here?" I asked her softly.

"And miss out on an opportunity to keep up appearances?" Aphrodite asked sarcastically. "Trust me they'll be here, and then they'll complain about how I'm not powerful enough and how I need to work harder. Or they'll just try to make me leave," she said shrugging.

"They don't know your human," I said my eyes growing wide as I realized Aphrodite had probably never told them.

"Nope, but I'm probably not the one you should be worrying about right now," Aphrodite said nodding towards one of the back corners of the room. I spun around expecting trouble, only to find Marla pressing herself as far back into the shadows as she could go. "Call me if you need some help," Aphrodite said as I began walking away.

"You know you really should start being more careful about showing your soft caring side. She's been slipping out a lot more lately," I said over my shoulder.

"Well I guess that means I'll have to drown her after all," Aphrodite smirked and I shook my head at her rolling my eyes.

I squeezed my way through the visiting parents trying hard not to bump into anyone. Marla looked up at me as I approached and smiled, her liquid brown eyes becoming slightly more relaxed.

"Hiding out?" I asked as I reached her.

She laughed a little and nodded. "I just don't know what to say to them, Zoey. How do you talk casually to someone you know was trying to kill you? Someone who wants you dead?" She asked glancing back out into the throng of parents and students.

"It's not easy, that's for sure," I said thinking about the last few months and how many times I had had to pretend that things were fine when I knew that they weren't. I watched as a tall man of an average build began walking towards us, his eyes never leaving Marla's. His hair was a dark brown like Marla's but his eyes were a dirty Hazel color. Some people have hazel eyes that are amazing, but his were the color of muddy water. Trailing behind him in a soft pink dress was a slender woman who looked a lot like Marla. Her hair was shoulder length, but was the same dark brown bordering black. Their eyes were identical reminding me of hot fudge. Marla definitely favored her mother.

"Hello, Marla," Mr. Kennedy said giving a little smile that made my skin crawl. Marla must have felt it to because she shivered slightly next to me, but otherwise remained composed.

"Hey dad," Marla said managing to keep all emotion from her voice. "I'm surprised to see you here."

"Why would you be surprised?" Marla's mother asked her voice soft and gentle. She stepped forward pulling her daughter into her arms and sighing contentedly. "Marla, just because this thing has happened does not make you any less our daughter," she continued pulling back slightly but keeping her hands on Marla's shoulder. "We just want what's best for you."

I tried not to snort as I thought about how what they thought was best for Marla was to save her soul by taking her life. I stood silently watching the exchange take place. I wouldn't leave Marla's side, but I wouldn't intervene either unless it was necessary. I wanted to give Marla's parents a chance.

"Marla we would like you to come home," her father said earnestly and for a moment he almost sounded sincere. "You don't belong in this place," he said his face filling with disgust, "with these creatures of evil."

"They're not the evil ones dad, and I'm not leaving here. We both know I'll die if I do. Fledglings can't live long away from adult Vampyres," Marla said simply being careful not to accuse her father of anything. As far as any of the Elders knew we only suspected that there was something else causing the Fledglings to reject the change. At least that was what detective Marx had told them when he had gone to investigate. Natasha had seen to that.

"They've already begun infecting you with their evil beliefs," Her father sneered. "The girl we raised would know that if she stayed here she was dooming her soul to hell!" He reached out for his daughter and I took a step forward coming directly between the two of them.

"Hello, Mr. Kennedy," I said extending my hand. He took it hesitantly and I shook it, never taking my eyes from his. "I'm so glad you could join us for parent visitations," I said smiling. "I'm Zoey Redbird, Marla's mentor while she attends the House of Night."

"Mentor?" Mrs. Kennedy questioned.

"Yes," I said glancing at her. "Every new fledgling is assigned a mentor to help them through the changes their body is going through, and to help them deal with their new life."

"The only changes Marla needs to deal with can be handled in our home," Mr. Kennedy said trying not to glare and failing miserably. He tried to step around me for Marla once more forcing me to step right to match his movements. I would not let him near her if I thought for a second he would harm her, and every nerve in my body was telling me he planned to do just that.

"Unfortunately, Mr. Kennedy, Marla now able to make her own decisions about her life," I said quietly but with an authority of a High Priestess and I saw him falter for just a second. "By law, all children who are Marked are emancipated and taken out from under their parents care. We find it's easier that way."

"Easier to corrupt them you mean," My step-loser's voice sounded from a few feet to my left. "It figures that you would be the one leading sweet Marla here to a life of damnation."

I turned feeling completely whiplashed. "What are you doing here? Where's mom?"

He laughed and I felt the anger beginning to rise within me. "Did you really think your mother would come here after what you put her through?" He asked raising one eyebrow at me.

"Then why are you here?" I asked feeling extremely irritated. As far as I was concerned we had nothing to say to each other, and he could have just stayed home.

"I'm here to try and reason with you," my step-loser said, his face becoming stern and angry. "There may still be hope for you, Zoey, if you turn from the evil you have decided to live in."

I could have laughed in his face. He was accusing me of living with evil when he and the rest of the Elders were killing innocent children and releasing evil spirits? He obviously had no clue what evil really was.

"You're mother and I would take you back, Zoey, as would Marla's parents. We just want our children safe and their souls clean, and that's something we're not going to give up on that easily."

I was about to respond when Neferet's powerful voice sounded from behind me.

"Let me save your breath, Mr. Heffer," Neferet said moving gracefully into our little circle. "I do believe we have had this conversation before, have we not?" She asked smoothly, her voice sounding sugary sweet. I looked at Marla's parents shocked expressions as they took in Neferet's beauty and I smirked. She never failed to shock or mesmerize people. "I do believe that last time you were here I informed you that you could keep your opinions to yourself or you could leave and not return. If I'm not mistaken, you chose to leave."

"How dare you speak to me you evil witch!" My step loser hissed his face turning over with hatred and disgust.

Neferet gave a cold little laugh, her eyes never leaving the step-loser's. "Mr. Heffer, you are the one who came to my school, knowing full well that I am the High Priestess here. I regret the events that have transpired between us in the last month, but that does not change how I will allow you to conduct yourself while you are on the House of Night grounds." Her voice was cool and powerful and made me shiver slightly.

"Nor does it change the fact that I have allowed you to turn my daughter to the dark side!" The step-loser sneered.

"I'm not your daughter," I said not even hesitating to answer. I had never considered him to be my father and I wasn't about to let him start considering me his daughter now. And the dark side? What did he think we were in Star Wars or something?

"You will not speak to me like that," my step-loser said taking a step towards me. "Who do you think raised you, put a ruff over your head, and put food on your table?"

"You think those things make you a father?" I asked incredulously.

"You're right," he said glaring at me. "I must have done something wrong because I couldn't keep you from making the wrong choices, from ending up here!"

I could feel my anger rising up and filling me. All of the anger that I had harbored over the years for him taking my mom from me, and for treating me like I was nothing more than an inconvenience to their lives. "I would rather live in hell than be back in your house," I said through clenched teeth. I barely noticed when my step-loser began reaching out towards me intending to strike. I flinched moving to the side, but Neferet was quicker. She reached out grabbing the step-losers hand and throwing him away from me.

I watched as he looked down opening and closing his hand in shock. Marla's parents seemed equally stunned. They turned from Marla to my step-loser and back again.

"I think it is time that you leave now," Neferet said softly as warriors began surrounding us in a protective circle.

"This isn't over," My step-loser said meeting Neferet's eyes and I had to admit that it was fairly brave. I knew only too well how intimidating Neferet could be. There were still times when she scared the crap out of me.

Neferet smiled, her voice staying calm and serene, "You and I are in complete agreement Mr. Heffer. This is far from over." I watched as my Step-loser was escorted from the school by some particularly huge warriors. Neferet put her hand on my shoulder and I looked up to see her gazing at me with nothing but warmth, kindness and understanding. She then turned her attention back to Marla's parents, "Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy I offer you the same decision. You are more than welcome to stay and spend time with your daughter, all I ask is that you keep your opinions to yourself and respect this school's beliefs as we try and respect yours. If you do not believe that you can accept these conditions then you may leave."

Marla's parents gave her one last look before turning and following in the same direction the step-loser had walked only moments before. I heard Marla sigh and turned back to see one tear traveling down her cheek.

"I'm sorry," I whispered pulling her into my arms.

She let out a small sob and then pulled back wiping her eyes. "I shouldn't let it bother me. I mean I knew that the only reason they were here was to…" she let her voice trail off.

"People can often disappoint us," Neferet said softly through the quiet, "And that includes family, Marla. But you have people here who care about you. We will not let them harm you."

"Thank you," Marla hiccupped giving Neferet a small smile.

I turned back to Neferet and found myself wrapped in a safe embrace. "Take care of her, Zoeybird," Neferet whispered gently. "I'm going to go check on some of the other students," Neferet said softly, pulling back out of the hug. I watched her go cutting through the crowd that had grown unusually quiet at the exchange that had taken place between us and the Elders. I looked around spotting Aphrodite and grimaced. She was looking at me from between both of her parents, a worried expression on her face.

I let out a slow steady breath and then swallowed. At least the night couldn't get any worse. I felt myself smile involuntarily as my grandma walked through the door. She glanced around the room waving at a few of my friends including Aphrodite who nodded in my direction, and then headed right for me. I let her make her way across the room and then threw my arms around her in bone crushing hug. I had never been so happy to see anyone in my entire life!