"The Elders are behind this," my grandma whispered when I approached her. It wasn't a question.
"Yes, the Elders did this," I said my voice just as emotionless. I didn't trust myself to show what I was really feeling. I had never felt so much anger before, had never truly wanted anyone dead before. Not even Neferet or Kalona, no matter how much they had done I always knew I was supposed to save Neferet and re-trap Kalona. But this? I felt a small turning within and knew it was Nyx trying to break through all the darkness that was strangling my heart. I couldn't let myself become filled with hatred. That wasn't what Nyx wanted and I knew that deep within.
"Marla has confided in me that they are also releasing demons?" my grandma asked her face worried, but also strong and brave.
"Yes," I said glancing out the window. The earth had stopped trembling over a half hour ago and I wasn't sure if that meant they were just watching or if they had only been able to grow strong while the fledglings among us were dying. They weren't able to obtain any of the blood that had been spilt, so maybe that meant they wouldn't actually use it.
"The Elders are fools," my grandma said her eyes narrowing. "What they are attempting to release could very possibly destroy the whole world. We have to stop them, Zoey."
"But how?" I asked feeling frustrated. "This isn't like Kalona; we at least knew we had to find some way to trap him. I feel like I'm walking around blind on this one."
"I know you'll think of something my u-wi-tsi-a-ge-ya," She said leaning forward and kissing my forehead right where the filled in blue crescent moon sat.
I nodded and then sighed, "I have to meet Neferet and then we have a council meeting and I really should try to get cleaned up first," I said looking down at my blood stained clothes and skin. "Could you stay with Marla until we get back?" I asked glancing past my grandma to where Marla was still standing covered in silver and staring out into the night. "I'm worried about her," I admitted softly.
"She's worried about you," my grandma said softly glancing over her shoulder at Marla quickly and then back at me. "She's scared for this whole school and for all the people at her church who are following blindly behind the Elders. Mostly she's scared for all of the death that is still to come if this is all not somehow stopped."
"Well that makes two of us grandma," I mumbled softly.
"Go get cleaned up," my grandma said giving me a little push towards the door. "I will look after young Marla for you."
"Thanks," I whispered over my shoulder as I walked through the open dining hall doors.
I stumbled my way out into the night taking huge breaths of the cool air. I never thought I would say it, but it was nice to smell and breathe something other than blood. I looked down at my clothes again and grimaced. I definitely needed to get myself cleaned up.
The night seemed calmer now, the fear that had stretched over us for the past few ours had once again dissolved. Unfortunately, I knew the memories of tonight weren't going to dissolve with it. I stopped as my stomach gave an unexpected turn and made my way into the soft grass. I sighed resting my head the thick bark of one of the strong oaks that were scattered throughout and around the school. My body was shaking and I felt tears I had been holding back all day begin to spill out. I could still see Becca's petrified face as she coughed up more blood spilling it on to the carpet. I gripped my stomach tighter to keep myself from having a similar reaction.
"Are you ok?" The familiar voice asked from somewhere behind me. "Zoey? Erik questioned as his hand gripped my shoulder. "Are you alright?" He asked a little more firmly.
"I'm fine," I said softly turning to face him wiping the tears from my eyes with the back of my hand. His face turned slightly relieved when he realized I wasn't sick or hurt, but quickly turned back to concern as he took in my expression and posture.
"Are you sure you're ok?" He asked again, this time more gently. He raised an eyebrow and I felt the tears begin to fall again. They fell because I was sad for the students we had lost, they fell because I was sickened by the monsters the Elders had become, they fell because I was angry at the whole situation, and they fell because I still had no idea what to do about any of it.
"They killed them," I said shaking my head trying to speak through the anger and tears. "They just killed them!" My body was trembling again and I felt like a small child had fallen from the jungle gym, the shock and pain making it hard to talk.
"Zoey," Erik spoke my name with a tenderness that made my heart hurt just a little less. He pulled me near to him just holding me and gently running his fingers through my hair.
"What am I supposed to do?" I asked frustrated.
He sighed taking my hand and then began walking.
"Where are we going?" I asked slowly looking around.
"We're going to get you cleaned up," he said and I realized he was leading me back towards his dorm room, or rather the staff apartments. "Then I'm going to help you think everything through, because I don't think you can do it in the state you're in right now." He pushed open the door to the main building where the staff all took up residence.
I was grateful he hadn't tried to tell me everything would be alright when we both clearly knew things weren't alright. But he was right, I needed to think things through and center myself enough to find Nyx's will.
"Our bathrooms are nice," he said leading me through his apartment which was definitely his style. He opened the bathroom door and the sight of the shower made me want cry tears of joy. He turned on the hot water and motioned for me to climb in.
"I don't have any other clothes here," I said looking down at myself again. I wasn't about to get in a shower just to put the same bloodied clothes back on.
"I'll go and get you some," he said softly. "Just get in and try and relax," he added as he backed out the door. He was still the super hero type of guy, the perfect gentlemen. Well most times, but right now I was really appreciating it, appreciating that he wasn't pushing, but was still helping me to deal with the situation. I needed that.
I slowly peeled the sticky clothes from my body taking extra care not to get blood on any of Erik's things though I was sure he would understand. His shower wasn't nearly as good as Aphrodite's but it was definitely better than mine, and being able to get a few minutes away from the dorms and the millions of questions that I was sure to face there was a nice thought. I put my hand under the running water and sighed at the perfect temperature I found there. I climbed under to find that the water pressure was also perfect and seemed to relax all the muscles of my back.
I pulled the curtain around me taking deep breaths in and blinking back the tears as Becca's blood washed from my body, turning the water at the bottom of the shower a beautiful spring pink color. I grabbed a wash cloth and some soap and began lathering it to scrub my body. The soap tingled as it touched my skin and I let out a deep sigh at the spring fragrance that floated around me. I was already feeling a little bit better. I rinsed my body and then quickly shampooed and conditioned my hair.
The knock at the door only startled me a little. "I'm going to leave your clothes on the sink," Erik said. "Do you need anything else?" He asked from the other side of the curtain.
"No, I'll be done in a minute," I said doing one last wash and rinse of my body. He shut the door and I turned off the water. I pulled back the curtain smiling at the two soft ginormous towels he had left for me. I wrapped one around my hair and then began using the other to dry the beads of water that were dripping down my skin. I looked around finding a long summer skirt and a black tank top with a pull over sweater sitting on the Sink where Erik had left it. The outfit really was perfect. It was nice so it would be appropriate for the council meeting, but it was comfortable too and slightly casual, which was something I needed. I slipped the skirt on noticing that my dirty clothes had been removed. I glanced around the bathroom and sighed.
"Did you take my other clothes?" I asked opening the bathroom door as soon as I was dressed.
"I didn't think you'd want them," Erik said standing up and walking over to me. "I threw them out," he said looking into my eyes and I realized he was right. I didn't want them. I didn't want anything that would remind me of this night. He pulled me close again just hugging me to him and let out a sigh of relief. I looked up meeting his beautiful blue eyes and felt comforted in a way I hadn't been for a while. It was like I had gone back in time, to before anything bad had ever happened. To when there were no guy complications, just Erik, and Stevie Rae was still my roommate and no one had died or been lost to darkness.
I didn't know what pulled me but my lips seemed to seek his out and I sighed contentedly as they met. He was soft and warm and I wanted desperately for my life to just be easy, drama free.
He pulled back looking at me and I realized his eyes were sad. "He drank from you," he said searching my face for answers.
"Yes," I whispered back not taking my eyes from his. I had no explanations for him, though I wished I did, but the truth was I had feelings for both Erik and Stark. Feelings I couldn't seem to sort out no matter how hard I tried. I had tried to just choose one and it had been impossible.
Erik nodded seeming to understand and accept this, though I knew he should be anything but understanding. Why did he still want me? Clearly I was turning into a hoe and for a moment I was jealous that Aphrodite had managed to get her life together and simply stick to Darius.
He stared at me for another long minute before answering. "It changes nothing, you know that right?" He asked me softly.
"It should've…" I began.
"It should have, but it didn't," He brought his hand up cupping my cheek; "You still love me." I couldn't deny that anymore than I could deny his kiss when his lips once again met mine. It was soft and warm, passionate and caring. He pulled back from the kiss allowing our foreheads to rest against each other. I had to admit that this was just more confusion I didn't need although the comforting felt wonderful, especially right now. I did love Erik, but the connection between Stark and I was strong and often reminded me of soul mates. I was really going to have to research the whole vampyre mate thing when this was all over.
He kissed my cheek gently and then led me by the hand to the couch. We sat in silence for several minutes just looking at each other.
"The council is meeting," he began.
I nodded, "We have to be there, and I have to meet Neferet before that," I said glancing at the clock. I had another fifteen minutes or so before she expected me.
"What do you think is the best solution, Zoey," Erik said getting right to the point.
I looked at him blinking a few times. I didn't know what the best thing to do was, that was the problem. "Everything's just too jumbled up," I said feeling frustrated again.
"Then unjumble it," Erik said taking my hand. "Zoey, you have always had a special bond with Nyx, and she has always shown you the way. What makes you think that now is any different?"
"I…" I stopped thinking about what he had said and I knew it was true. I didn have a connection with Nyx and I had felt her trying to speak to me for the last few days. I had just been so caught up in life and everything that was happening around us I hadn't found time to listen. I nodded and then shut my eyes. I didn't care that I was in Erik's apartment or that I didn't have any candles or a circle, I knew Nyx would hear me.
"Nyx," I whispered and felt Erik grip my hand tighter. "Nyx, I'm here and I'm ready to listen," I said simply. I felt my spirit leap and was surprised when a voice answered me.
"Merry meet, my blessed children," Nyx said lovingly. Both Erik and I opened our eyes to the unearthly beautiful form of Nyx standing right in the middle of his living room. I glanced at Erik and laughed a little when I noticed that his mouth had completely fallen open.
"Merry meet, Nyx," I said smiling at her. I was already feeling better, everything inside me was warm and energized, as if her presence were renewing me both inside and out.
Nyx smiled back at me and then took a step closer to us. "I fear for you my child, for the trials you are facing will truly test your soul."
"That's what I'm afraid of," I said softly. "But, I don't know what I'm supposed to do."
"Remember it is not the whole People of Faith you are facing, not everyone is bad, Zoey," Nyx said her eyes sad. "I too, grieve for the children I have lost tonight. Their lives were taken before their time in the name of cruelty and hatred. No more lives must be taken this way. This one thing I must make absolutely clear!" She took another step closer to me and gently put her hand over my heart. I hasped as my spirit leap and my soul was filled with great joy. "I am cleansing you so that you may see clearly, Zoey," Nyx said as all the emotional pain dissolved from within me. I thought about the step loser and I could feel no hatred or anger. I thought about my mother who I had lost and all I could feel was thankfulness for my grandmother and Neferet.
"Nyx," I breathed looking into her joyous face.
"My children are all incredibly blessed and none of you is ever truly alone," she said looking at both me and Erik. "The elders must be stopped, but not through hatred. You must stop them because it is the right thing to do, not because you want vengeance."
I searched my soul and realized I didn't want vengeance anymore. Nyx had spiritually cleansed me and I was able to think clearly and see what she was saying. "The demons," I said in understanding. "It's not death that makes them stronger, its death through hatred."
"That is correct," Nyx said smiling. She turned to Erik then who was still sitting there completely in awe. "My son," Nyx said shimmering. "You're heart is pure and I can feel your love for my chosen. You will always have a place in her life, because I chose you as one of her protectors long ago. You have a special destiny Erik and you have my favor," she reached out touching his shoulder. "Take heart and walk in peace," she whispered and I saw a tear slide down Erik's cheek.
She turned back to me giving me a little nod, "Zoey, do not be afraid to take charge and trust your instincts. As always you have the power within you to stand against the circumstances that face you." She smiled and then with a final shimmer she disappeared leaving Erik and I sitting together in complete silence.
Erik blinked several times staring at the place where Nyx had been just moments before. "Did that? Did she? I mean did I really just see?" He babbled. I smiled taking his hand in mine and pulling softly so that he came to his feet. "That was amazing," he said turning towards me, his brilliant blue eyes wide with wonder. "Nyx was in my living room," He said shaking his head.
I laughed a little hugging him once more, "yes she was, and you were right. Time with Nyx was exactly what I needed." I couldn't believe how light I felt and how clean as if all my past mistakes and hurts had been wiped away.
"She chose me, Zoey," he said completely in awe. "She chose me!"
"I know," I smiled thinking about the first time I had seen him, how there had been some weird connection between us even before we had formally met.
He looked back down at me shaking his head, "I feel honored and cherished that she thinks enough of me to chose me for any job, but at the same time it's a lot to take on, kind of overwhelming," he whispered looking into my eyes.
"Trust me I know," I said glancing at the clock. I grimaced, I was going to be late to my meeting with Neferet, but at least now I felt like I had some direction to go on. It wasn't death that was the problem, it was hatred. Hatred between us and them, the only problem I had now was figuring out how I was going to eliminate it and stop the Elders. I looked back at Erik and quickly kissed him on the lips. "I have to go," I said softly.
He nodded drawing me into a hug, "I'll see you at the meeting."
I knew I was going to be late for my meeting with Neferet, but I didn't care. My meeting with Nyx had made me realize that wisdom was going to be my strongest weapon. Marla had said that everything had a spirit and that everything could be affected, which meant that it was the strongest mind that was going to win this battle with the Elders. I ran through the girl's dormitory and right up the stairs to my room ignoring the curious glances I was receiving from my friends as I ran by. I slammed the doo shut and immediately started rummaging through my book shelf looking for the book Natasha had given me during our studies several months ago. It was a beautifl purple color with a simple title engraved on the cover that said one word, Nyx.
I didn't know if the book would help me at all, but I was going to try. I pushed aside book after book until my fingers grazed the soft cover. I pulled it from the shelf tucking it safely under my arm and then ran back down the stairs and out the door. It took me several more minutes to reach the temple. I stumbled my way in and stopped.
"Hello, Zoey," Detective Marx said nodding at me as soon as I walked through the door. There were several other police members there, each taking samples of the food and drinks to be examined.
"Detective," I replied glancing at Natasha who was watching the investigation with skeptical eyes. Even she had been made leery by tonight's events and was not as quick to trust that the cops would do their job. Still it said something that they still trusted them at all.
