My apartment shook and I clutched the bed covers as I fought to keep my eyes open. The room was dark blocking out the harsh mid afternoon sun and I desperately wanted to roll over and go back to sleep. That was out of the question. I held my breath as the temple began to shake again and Nala hissed furiously, the fur on her back sticking straight up as she dug her nails into my pillow. I sat up and quickly stumbled my way to my closet pulling on the first thing I could find. My hair fell down my back in soft waves tickling my skin and I quickly pulled it back so that it was out of my face.

"Do you really think you'll be able to help them?" a voice whispered from somewhere behind me. I turned looking left and right, but could see no one. "I don't see a priestess, I see a small child. A child who would be nothing if she didn't have so many people holding her up all the time," the voice sneered at me. "You can't help them," the voice said again. "You can't even help yourself. I've seen your future. Do you want to know what it is?" The voice asked.

I spun again looking wildly in every direction. There was no one here. I was alone.

"You die," the voice whispered causing a series of shudders to move through my body. "You die," the voice echoed through my mind.

My eyes fluttered open slowly to see Nala sitting next to me, her golden eyes scanning the room as she complained loudly. I took a few deep breaths in and then closed my eyes again trying to get the eerie voice out of my head. I was so tired of creepy dreams and people using them to get to me. Nyx had made my mind my own, why couldn't we have gone a step further and blocked my dreams from others as well?

Great wisdom can be learned from dreams Nyx's voice whispered to me. Just ask the spirits of your grandmother's people. My eyes flew open again and I did a quick scan of the dark room.

"Wisdom is one thing. Death threats are another," I muttered climbing out of bed. I moved through the room lighting the oil lamps that hung from the walls as I went and breathing in the soft lavender fragrance. I ran a hand through my hair feeling the light dampness that still clung to the soft waves from my shower the night before. I was exhausted and the thought of going back to bed until my hair had dried all the way pulled at me, enticing me with its comforting appeal. I sighed at the thought of more sleep and then slowly made my way to my closet, checking it thoroughly before entering, and began rummaging through my clothes.

Almost everything in my closet Neferet had bought me was sleek and stylish like my apartment. The garments were unbelievable, tight, trendy and more than a little sexy. I could almost feel the power that leaped from the soft fabrics and I found myself biting my lower lip as I considered wearing them. There was power in clothing whether I wanted to admit it or not, and the desire to not just be, but look the part of a High Priestess flared within me.

I shook my head as better judgment coursed through me. No matter how powerful the dress, being able to move easily would be more important today. I walked to my dresser pulling out a pair of dark blue jeans and a soft flowing black shirt instead. I removed the pendent Neferet had left me from the black box in my closet and hung it around my neck, smiling as Nyx's image reflected back from it in the mirror. I clutched the pendent in my hand holding it to my chest, feeling my heart beat in a steady rythem beneath my fist. I was Nyx's High Priestess and her chosen and nothing would ever change that, especially not the faceless voice from my dream.

But do you really believe that? The voice asked me and I jumped spinning in a quick circle glancing around the room. There was no one in my apartment besides Nala who was complaining at me for disturbing her sleep. I shook myself, mad that I was still letting my dream get to me. I was being ridiculous and the voice was nothing more than my imagination playing tricks on me. I knew who I was and I knew that no one else would choose my fate but me. Nyx had chosen me, but it was my decision to follow her path or to go a different way or to even give up on life entirely. I made the decisions and today would be no different.

I moved through my apartment determined not to glance over my shoulder or look around my apartment for the mysterious nonexistent voice; even if I was still somewhat afraid, which was completely silly. It was just a dream, and the voice was in my own mind.

I slid on some black boots and headed down the stairs into the main part of the temple. Everything was quiet and I knew it was still too early for anyone to really be up and around, but that was fine with me. I needed some time to think and prepare and the silence would help. I pulled the candles from the cupboard and began placing them in their correct circle locations. I lit the smudging stick letting the thick smoke travel throughout the room and then began moving around the circle lighting each of the candles. I felt each element respond as I called them to my circle with a couple of words. The wind touched my face as fire warmed me and water cooled my spirit. Earth sent up a sweet fragrant smell into the air that calmed my soul and my nerves and my spirit leapt for joy as the last candle was lit connecting me to Nyx's presence. I poured me a glass of blood from the mini fridge downing its contents and then sat in the middle of my circle simply meditating and breathing slowly in and out.

I focused my energies on spirit first letting it fill me up. I could feel Nyx's presence floating around me and I smiled as I began pushing my own spirit out in an effort to use my new vampyre intuition. My spirit floated around the campus touching each of the dormitories as well as the main building. Each was filled with peace and contentment as its occupants slept soundly. I pushed farther feeling my own defensive barrier as I crossed the school walls. There was a soft zapping sensation as I crossed my electrical line and then I was assaulted by the cold blackness of the demons that lay waiting just outside the school grounds.

The fear that bombarded my spirit was overwhelming and I soon felt myself growing tired as intense anger and hatred pelted against me. I drew back feeling completely exhausted, but knowing that we couldn't wait another day. The darkness that surrounded us was beginning to take on a physical form and soon it wouldn't be just a spiritual battle we faced.

I opened my eyes relaxing a little as I tried to regain my senses. More oil lamps had been lit throughout the room and another glass of blood had been placed by my side. I took it pressing the cool metal to my lips and letting the delicious liquid slide down my throat as I looked around.

"That was impressive," Neferet's voice said from a few feet away. I turned to see both her and Natasha sitting at a nearby table organizing minerals that were often used in circle casting. I remembered Aphrodite mentioning a few of them and I knew my grandma knew of their different uses, but I still needed to read through the text book for most of them. As I had made the change from fledgling to adult Vamp in less than a year I hadn't had the opportunity to take a spells and rituals course.

"We'd offer you some Mystic Spirit Quartz, but it appears you have already had some assistance in spiritual growth," Natasha winked at me while examining a few small blue stones on the table before her. "How far were you able to push your spirit out?" She asked. "We could feel your spirit moving around us this morning, which is what woke us up," Natasha said examining my confused expression. "A circle enhances our intuitive abilities as well as our affinities. When you threw your spirit out your circle allowed you to not only examine the spirits around you, but to touch a few as well. In other words you called to us this morning without even realizing it," Natasha said smiling.

"I called to you?" I asked feeling slightly disoriented. That was certainly a new development. My spirit was the intuitive gift Nyx had given me. Instead of reading minds or getting glimpses of another's thoughts, I was able to discern their emotions and feel their spirits intentions. My spirit traveled around the person examining their spirit in an effort to gain insight to their motives or what was driving them. However, I had never been able to connect to another spirit or let them know of my presence around them. I sighed, then again I had only had this new spiritual ability for a day, or at least I had only been aware of it for a day.

"Yes," Neferet answered smiling at me as she ground up another mineral. "How far were you able to go?" She asked again as she poured the pink dust into a pouch in her other hand.

"Outside the walls," I said softly thinking of the demon's blackness that radiated from them soaking into the earth and trees that surrounded the school. "Do you think I called to anyone else?" I asked hoping I hadn't somehow managed to wake up the whole school.

"I'm gonna have to say that would be a definite yes," Shaunee said walking into the temple with Erin slightly behind her. Both looked as if they had woken up late and just rolled out of bed. Their clothes had been thrown on and their hair was pulled back into a messy bun.

"You practically shook us from our sleep though we had no clue how you were doing it," Erin said plopping into a nearby chair as I released the elements and began collecting the candles and smudging stick once more. I didn't know how I had done it either and it worried me that it wasn't something I had been trying to do. Gaining intuitive powers was expected, but to call to my friends without trying?

"Zoey, it's really nothing different than what you've done before," Neferet said observing my concerned expression. "In the past you have needed help and you've used the elements to communicate," she said softly.

"Yes, but then I knew I was doing it," I said feeling slightly alarmed.

"Are you certain that you didn't know this time as well?" Neferet asked. "What did you see when you crossed the wall?"

"Nothing good," I said running my hand through my hair which had finally dried the rest of the way. "They've grown stronger and the darkness that surrounds them is starting to take form."

"And what were you feeling?" Natasha asked.

"Like we needed to move," I said quickly.

"It definitely felt urgent when you woke us up," Shaunee said nodding.

"I've never felt anything like it," Damien said walking through the temple doors with Jack hanging on his arm half awake.

"I'm going to say that none of us have," Erik said trailing in behind them along with Stevie Rae, Stark, Darius, Aphrodite, Marla and Jaylynn.

"It looks as if you called your whole circle to you when you discovered the severity of the situation," Neferet said handing me a pouch of blue dust that shimmered slightly in different lights. I thought about her statement that I had called my friends to me when I had realized what we were up against. I had felt overwhelmed and concerned knowing that time was of the essence. That was when my own emotions had flared. I was no longer just feeling the emotions around me, but was creating my own. My emotions had reached out and touched them through the spiritual link I had created. I had called to them, I just hadn't been aware of my ability to do so.

"What is that?" Jack asked sleepily as he examined the blue dust Neferet was handing out. His eyes were half open as he leaned against Damien who was supporting both their weights. I frowned feeling slightly guilty about having awakened them all, but knowing that it was probably necessary. And guilty as I was, I was still amazed that I could.

"This is Azurite," Natasha said scooping more of the blue dust into small black velvet pouches.

"Aza what?" Erin asked.

"Ite who?" Shaunee said raising an eyebrow as she studied the pouch more closely.

"Ok I know I'm not the only one who's taken spells and rituals," Aphrodite said rolling her eyes.

"It's a stone," Stevie Rae said softly pinching some of the dust between her fingers.

"Really? Because we didn't just watch them grind the stones up a minute ago or anything," Aphrodite sneered.

"We're all up early, so you don't have to be so rude," Stevie Rae scowled.

"Azurite is a stone used to guide our inner psyche and enhance our ability to see the truth," Erik said putting end to the argument that was about to erupt.

"Thank you, Erik," Neferet said smiling at him. "Azurite is a strong psychic aid and can increase our ability to see things we would normally overlook. For example the tree that attacked Stevie Rae," Neferet said nodding in Stevie Rae's direction. "The tree we saw was a lie and the demons used magic to blind us from the truth. While Marla's gift helps ensure that we won't be caught off guard again, that does not mean we will not be faced with other lies or attacks we cannot see. Remember that we created weapons yesterday that are covered by illusions. You can all rest assured that we will also face things that are not what they appear." She was right and I found myself once again worried that our plan might not be enough.

"Keep your pouch of Azurite dust on you at all times. If you think something is a lie sprinkle some and the truth will be made known to you," Natasha said and then proceeded to hand out another pouch filled with clear crystal dust. "Mystic Spirit Quartz," Natasha said winking at me as she handed me my pouch.

"So it enhances our spiritual abilities," I said recalling what Natasha had recited to me only moments before.

"Yes, but that is only one of the stones many properties," Natasha said giving me me a kind smile. "Does anyone know what else this stone is used for?"

"Healing," Aphrodite said looking towards Neferet. "If Neferet used any of her healing energy the Quartz would draw that power towards us."

"Correct," Natasha said beaming at her. "Again each of you should keep this dust on you at all times. If you're injured sprinkle some of it on yourself and that will allow Neferet to heal you without actually having to be right next to you."

"What's the pink dust for?" Stark asked looking at the table where a few more stones and a pile of dust still sat.

"That is coral," Damien said. "I recognize it from Vamp Soc," he said smiling as he rattled off the textbook definition. "Coral can be used to protect your circle from evil forces or attacks."

"Very good Damien," Neferet said giving him a warm smile. "When sprinkled around the circle it protects those in the circle from an attack. This is something your circle generally doesn't need because the silver thread that binds you all is stronger than the coral could ever be. However, Coral, has another property and that is to increase imagination. Something we are going to need if we wish to be successful today," Neferet said looking at each of us. "We will sprinkle the Coral around us letting its power be absorbed into the circle as it is cast," she said brushing the dust from the table and into a larger pouch.

"It looks like we're ready," I said exhaling slowly.

"What about the Elders?" Aphrodite asked.

"Three warriors have agreed to cover their Marks in an effort to protect us all," Neferet said softly. "An emergency call will be placed to each of the Elders homes within the hour requesting each of their presence to the People of Faith church."

"What are you using as the emergency?" Stark asked.

"A newly Marked fledgling," Neferet said grinning wickedly and sending a chill down my spine. Still it was a good plan and it would be the one thing that would draw all the Elders to the church at once. They would want to pray for the lost child in an effort to save him or her and prevent their soul from being "destroyed." The Elders would come to the church, no questions asked and our Warriors would make sure that nobody got killed. Our plan was underway…