Detective Marx crossed the room his hand extended and I smiled when he chose to shake my arm in the official Vampyre greeting. "It's good to see you again, Zoey. I'm just sorry it is under these circumstances. Trust me when I tell you I am going to do everything in my power to help bring the ones responsible to justice."

I nodded, but I knew it would not be that simple. I knew I could trust Detective Marx who was very sympathetic towards vampyres as his sister had been Marked years ago. That, however, didn't mean the rest of the police force would be just as determined to find out who was killing the fledglings. He gave me a slight smile and then returned his attention back to the investigation as I made my way upstairs.

I had barely reached the second floor when I was assaulted with the most pleasant fragrance I had ever smelt. My stomach growled twisting and turning as I breathed in the wonderful sent of food. I made my way down the hall to Neferet's office to find her standing next to a table filled with trays of delicious smelling food waiting for me.

"I thought you might be hungry," she said as I entered the room. "And since we're not going to have time to get dinner before the council meeting I thought I'd have it brought here." She reached out hugging me gently as I neared the table, "How are you doing?" She asked her eyes scanning my face.

"I'm actually a lot better, but I am hungry," I said looking at the food.

She motioned for me to sit down and then pulled out her own chair sliding into it in the most elegantly graceful manner. The food did look delicious. There was fresh fish and vegetables, fruit and bread lightly buttered. I also noticed that next to my plate was a bottle of brown pop! I sighed happily as I poured a glass downing it in a few large gulps.

We ate in silence for a while each of us off in our own thoughts. I looked down at the book I had carried in and swallowed a bite of food. The strongest mind would win I thought again.

"Zoey," Neferet's voice called to me from across the table. "There are some things we need to discuss," she said seriously and I nodded. I knew she hadn't just invited me here for dinner. "The High Council has been alerted to the problems here as well as what happened tonight. They have decided to stand by whatever decision this school's council makes tonight." She gazed at me, her moss green eyes never leaving mine. "I want you to be aware that the decision may not be a peaceful one."

I felt Nyx stir within me and yes once again I spoke through my gut without thinking it through. "You can't," I blurted dropping my fork back onto my plate.

Neferet shook her head, "Zoey, I understand your concern, but seven fledglings died tonight," she said her face becoming hard and cold again. "Seven innocent children who were killed simply because Nyx had Marked them as her own. Add that to the other three fledglings as well as the crimes committed against Marla and we cannot just sit by and do nothing!" Her voice remained steady and almost calm, but there was a power in it and a threat towards the ones who stood against us.

"I know that Neferet and I agree that action needs to be taken, but it can't be an all out war, we can't do that!" I said trying to make her understand.

"This is not just my decision alone, you do understand that right?" Neferet asked softly, but there was something else in her voice. "Even if the police find something this whole thing has become too wide spread. It may not involve all the church members, but it is spreading and is no longer just the Elders. We know this from Jacob's father; he was just an active church member at the People of Faith. Their targeting us and attacking us and what happened tonight can never happen again!" She said and her eyes blazing. She tore her eyes away from mine taking a sip of wine and then sighed returning her gaze to me. "I expect you as a High Priestess to stand by whatever decision the council reaches."

I was about to retort telling her that as a High Priestess I would do what was right and what Nyx led me to do, when a knock sounded on Neferet's office door. We stared each other for another long second before she straightened up calling for whoever it was to come in.

"Priestesses," Darius said saluting us as he opened the door. "The council has gathered and is ready to begin when you are," he said bowing slightly. "Natasha is waiting for you downstairs."

"Thank you Darius," Neferet said as he backed out the door. She looked back at me and we both stood each once again lost in our own thoughts. We climbed down the stairs joining Natasha at the temple doors and then walking quickly across campus towards the conference room in the Library.

Everyone was already seated but quickly stood saluting as we walked in. It was strange being on this side of a council meeting, but at the same time it felt right. This is where I was supposed to be, a High Priestess of Nyx. I could still feel her in me and around me and I let my breathing relax. I was doing what she wanted. Neferet, Natasha and I sat down and everyone else followed. I looked around eyeing each of my friends and then the other members of the council. Besides the council were a few of the other teachers such as Dragon and Erik. This was going to be a big ordeal.

"We have called this meeting because it has been made clear to us that we are under attack," Natasha began in a strong voice. "We have lost ten students over the last month and others have been assaulted. For those of you who do not know the details it has come to our attention that these attacks are being brought against us by the Elders of the People of Faith, though some church members may also be involved. Not only are they attacking our students, but they are killing them in an attempt to release spirits or rather demons that seek to destroy us for the power in our blood."

There was murmuring around the table as the professors took in exactly what Natasha was saying.

"Obviously we cannot allow these spirits to be released, any more than we can allow for what happened here tonight to be ignored," Neferet continued looking at each member of the staff. "The High Council has agreed to stand by whatever decision is made here tonight. Council I ask you to consider not only what is best for us, but what is best for this school, our students and out world."

"So what we heard tonight, the shaking we felt, that was…" Lenobia began.

"The spirits," I confirmed. "My fledgling, Marla, has been gifted by Nyx with the ability to see into the spiritual realm. They are getting stronger and it is only a matter of time before they materialize and become visible to the rest of us. After that it will be too late."

"The police are working with us to try and stop the murders, but you all know that the situation is very precarious," Natasha said. "Justice between our lines is becoming increasingly difficult. They are still seeking justice for members of their community who were victimized at our hands. In most cases we allow them to police their own as we deal with the crimes of our own. However, in this situation I am afraid it may not be enough."

"Are you speaking of a war with the human's Priestess?" Anastasia asked Natasha.

"I very much hope not, but with the People of Faith Elders, I do not know what else we can do," Natasha said. "They have made their hatred for us very clear and there are spiritual matters that their police can't begin to understand how to deal with."

"But see that's what I don't get," Aphrodite spoke up. "Where did they even obtain the knowledge on how to release these demons? The People of Faith aren't known for playing with ancient powers. They'd consider that just as evil as being Marked."

"She has a point," Shaunee said.

"Totally agree twin," Erin said.

"It does seem unlikely that the Elders would have that sort of power of insight. So I concur as well," Damien nodded.

"Conquer what?" Shaunee asked looking annoyed.

"Concur, not conquer," Jack said rolling his eyes. "Basically he agrees."

"Look, my point is that they must have already tapped into some sort of power to be able to release anything. We are able to communicate with spirits because we are spiritual beings and have power as Nyx's children. But the average human being able to release evil spirits?" Aphrodite said raising an eyebrow.

"That's definitely something to consider," Darius said.

"And what exactly is this poison they are giving us?" Aphrodite asked. "And why can't we trace its origins or figure out what it is? Where are they getting their information?"

I stared at her blank faced and I was sure the rest of the room was having a similar reaction.

"It's true that not many substances should be able to affect the fledglings as they would a human," Dragon stated thoughtfully.

"We thought the first two died because they were poisoned outside of the coven," I said shaking my head.

"But no one was outside the coven tonight," Stark summed up.

"This only proves that this may be more than their police can handle," Neferet said determinedly. "Their hatred is spreading and though hatred is something we have dealt with for centuries, the consequences of their ignorance this time could be severe."

"Our only choice is to take action," Natasha said emotionlessly. "The question is what action we choose to take."

There was silence as everyone considered her words.

"You have to know, sisters, that if we attack the People of Faith that there will be a revolt from the rest of the human world," Lenobia said respectfully.

"But if we don't do anything we risk a war anyway," Penthesilia said. "If those demons our released it's not going to be us they attack. The humans are foolish to think that any demon would leave them in peace. The evil we would be dealing with…" she shook her head.

"It does seem like the only logical conclusion is to stop them now and deal with the ramifications later," Dragon said clearly frustrated at not being able to see a better option. "If we allow this to continue then we all will be in danger." He sighed, "We cannot let what happened here tonight go unpunished or be forgotten. Especially since we know who our enemy is and that they plan to attack again," Dragon said.

Everyone seemed to be nodding in agreement and I felt my heart beat accelerate.

"Call the warriors to us," Neferet said to Darius who nodded at her. "Our first action must be to make sure that we are properly protected, and then we will form a plan of attack from there."

"No," I said firmly causing everyone in the room to look at me. "We can't attack them," I began standing up and letting my voice carry across the room. I could hear the power in my voice.

"Zoey," Neferet said just as powerfully. "There is no other choice in the matter. Do you wish for them to continue with their plans?" She asked her green eyes once again blazing as they met mine. I could tell that she wasn't angry with me only trying to get me to see reason.

"Of course not, but attacking them is not the answer," I said firmly.

"Zoey, there is no other way here," Natasha said her voice filled with power that made me want to sit back down.

I swallowed but remained standing. Both she and Neferet may be powerful, but I was a High Priestess as well and I could be just as powerful. "There will be no attack," I said with authority.

"And what logic do you have behind…" Neferet began to ask.

"Because Nyx has said that there must not be any more deaths through hatred," I said through gritted teeth as I turned to meet her eyes once more. My fists were clenched and I was feeling somewhat irritated that they were treating me as only a fledgling and not someone who had been through countless trials and overcome them. I turned to see the whole room staring at me completely shocked by my statement. Only my friends knew that Nyx came to me and only Erik and Aphrodite had been with me during any of those times. "Look, it's not death that is making them stronger, its death through hatred."

"You've seen Nyx?" Lenobia asked her eyes wide with amazement, but at the same time she didn't seem all that surprised.

I looked around the room exhaling loudly, "several times," I answered and heard the murmuring once again spread through the room. I looked back at Neferet and Natasha, "Nyx said that we must stop them because it is right and not through vengeance or we risk releasing the demons ourselves." I turned back to the room raising my voice, "you have to realize that we are not just dealing with people who intend to hurt us, there are other forces at work here, and it's going to be wisdom that brings us victory."

"So what are your plans Priestess?" Lenobia asked.

"I'm recommending that all of you spend some quality time with Nyx tonight," I said speaking from my intuition hoping that Nyx would give me the right words. I heard her voice telling me not to be afraid to take charge and took a deep breath in. "We are going to war, but it's going to be a spiritual one, and we do have weapons for that," I said thinking about Marla as well as my own gifts and the gifts of my circle. "That's where the Elders power is right now, through these creatures they are trying to release and I think that even the poison is somehow connected to their world." I would have to ask grandma about that when I got back and maybe Marla as well. Marla could create things out of spirit; I had seen her make a dazzling flower in the palm of her hand. What if there were things being created out of a spirit of hatred, powerful plants that could kill? I felt my spirit leap again and knew I was on to something.

"Very well," Neferet said backing me. "A night with Nyx is a wise decision," she said nodding at each member of the council, the rest of the professors and my friends. "Another meeting will be held tomorrow to decide upon further action. You are dismissed."

Everyone rose slowly making their way out of the conference room. I too began to move forward but was stopped by two hands grabbing my arms. I looked back to see that one was Neferet and the other hand was Natasha's. They waited till everyone was gone before they sat back down motioning for me to do the same.

"Nyx?" Neferet asked raising an eyebrow at me.

"Yes, Nyx," I said nodding.

"Hmmm," she said never taking her eyes from mine. I could tell that it wasn't that she didn't believe me, but that she was concerned. Which I guessed was only natural. Had Nyx not cleansed me and allowed me to see clearly, I would probably feel the same way as Neferet did right now. The pain and anger made it difficult to focus or think rationally. Had I not gone to Nyx we probably would have been at war right now.

"A spiritual war won't be easy," Natasha said calmly, "but, I agree that it may be more beneficial than a blood bath." She looked at me and smiled, "Either way I'm proud of you."

"You embraced your role as a High Priestess tonight, Zoey," Neferet said also smiling. "Because of that, Natasha and I are choosing to follow you. You will lead us through this war, and we trust in your ability to follow Nyx." Ever so slowly she lifted her fist formally saluting me as a High Priestess of Nyx. I blinked several times in shock. Not only had she just acknowledged me as a High Priestess and not just a fledgling they were going to follow me? Don't be afraid to take charge Nyx's voice whispered to me again. Neferet smiled proudly at me and then pulled me into a tight embrace. "Well done, Zoeybird," she whispered and I felt a tear fall down my cheek.