As we reached Nyx's Temple, where the ceremony would be Neferet met me outside and gave Stark a nod to proceed inside without us. She beamed down at me with such approving eyes that it made mine want to swell with happiness. Probably the most important day to any vampire, a moment any parent should be so proud of, and though she wasn't my mom, she was a close as I was going to get to have my mom again. Neferet had changed so much since we saved her. I couldn't bare the thought of killing her like I was instructed at first. I am always destined that no matter what, to find an alternative than to kill anyone. I may be a Vampire, but I'm against such things if it can be prevented. There has to be a way to save someone without ending their life for good. I didn't want to be a High Priestess if that is what this was about, but I knew in my head it wasn't.

"You look marvelous Zoey. I can't tell you just how proud I am of you." She kissed my temple and walked with me into the hall. As we entered there was a loud gasp as I'm sure my presence shocked everyone, I don't normally dress as provocatively as I did tonight. I was getting sneers and eyebrow wiggles from just about every guy in the school and jealous and envious stares from most of the girls. I kept my eyes forward and proceeded into the temple.

Before us was my prefect, the Professors were on the outer rims of my friends and surrounding them was all of the changed Vampires from the House of Night, including the Red Vampire's that were found in the Tunnels. Erik stood in the middle with the chalice of blood to which I was to drink and upon the balcony above was the High Council that looked down on us. Neferet bent down and whispered into my ear, "Don't be nervous but I believe you have some extra special visitors here" she said without even moving her lips as she plastered an angelic looking smile on her face.

I looked up to see a young woman, about 20, no more with dark black hair along side an older man, who looked maybe in his forties with long brown hair, mustache and beard. They looked like something straight out of the 1800's. The man nodded to me as I entered the room and the woman looked slightly pleased. "Who are they?" I leaned and whispered to Neferet as we slowly proceeded into the temple.

"Why Zoey, I would think of all people you would know. That is Vlad, and his mate Mina." Neferet answered.

It took a minute for my mind to register and then my eyes went wide as I went from Neferet to the special guests on the balcony that was eyeing me with great interest. "V-V-Vald? Vald the Impaler? Vald as in Dracula? Bram Stroker Dracula?!" I asked.

"Yes Zoey, did you honestly think he was just a fictional character? I have to say, Bram Stroker didn't quiet get his facts right when he wrote the book. I think he was just angry that Dracula got the girl and not him." Neferet answered with a smile.

I turned my attention to my special guests and acknowledged them with a slight bow of the head, which I received in return. I could hardly contain my excitement as my Father came to greet me in the middle of the circle. He took my hand and kissed Neferet lightly on the cheek before turning towards the High Council.

I first noticed that everyone, including the High Council and Neferet was dressed in robes. Dark, black robes with Nyx's symbol on the left breast as our clothing did while we were students at the House of Night. A tall and handsome man walked forward from the Council and said, "Hear the words of the Night Goddess, who of old was called Nyx"

A woman from the High Council stepped forward, her hair the color of claret waved down her back, her eyes were the colors of emeralds and she spoke, "Whenever you have need of anything, once in the month and better it be when the moon is full, you shall assemble in some secret place and adore the spirit of Me who is Queen of all the Wise. She who would learn all sorcery yet has not won its deepest secrets, them I will teach her, in truth, all things as yet unknown. And you shall be free from slavery, and as a sign that you be free you shall be naked in your rites. Sing, feast, dance, make music and love in My presence, for Mine is the ecstasy of the spirit and Mine also is joy on earth. For My law is love unto all beings. Nor do I demand aught of sacrifice, for behold, I am the mother of all things and my love is poured out upon the earth."

Neferet stepped from behind me and unzipped my dress and slowly slid it down my shoulders. I knew she sensed my panic as she never warned me of my needing to be nude for this ritual. Neferet whispered into my ear, "Do not worry, this is all apart of the ritual. You will be nude, but it is to give yourself to our Goddess and to rid yourself of earthly possessions."

Neferet unhooked my bra and slide my underwear from my hips. I was feeling increasingly nervous as I couldn't see anyone, but they were all staring at me. Naked, shaking and obviously nervous. I heard the chatter by me from all the students as they gasped at my markings that covered my entire body. My Marks were not just restricted to my face like most Vampires, but mine were spiraling down my neck, through my chest and stomach, down my back, around my hips and twisting around each arm and leg. I didn't have much more skin to spare; my whole body was covered in markings. "Now kneel" Neferet guided me down to the floor where she placed my hands in my lap as I sat on my feet kneeling on the floor of Nyx's temple. Everyone began to draw in near closing in the circle on me.

The High Priestess of the High Council started the chant, "We all come from the Goddess, and to her we shall return like a drop of rain, flowing to the ocean."

The rest of the students began to chant in return, three times did they chant as they moved around me then stopped.

Neferet moved around me with a Sword which she took from the altar and traced a circle around the outside perimeter of the students in the temple. When she finished she walked to Damien first, knelt to him and said, "Hail and welcome, bright Spirits of the East. Lend to us your power and protection that Zoey Redbird may be given a true initiation to justly wield the power of Air. So mote it be!" For the instant that Damien's candle was lit, there was no rush of wind but a bright lemon yellow light that filled the room creating a wall between Damien and I.

"So mote it be!" I heard everyone repeat.

"Hail and welcome, fiery Spirits of the South. Lend to us your power and protection that Zoey Redbird may be given a true initiation to justly wield the power of Fire. So mote it be!" Neferet said once again and once more I saw a light that emitted from Shaunee's candle, this time a fierce and warm red glow shoot up between Shaunee and I like a wall.

"So mote it be!" said the populous in unison.

"Hail and welcome, tireless Spirits of the West. Lend to us your power and protection that Zoey Redbird may be given a true initiation to justly wield the power of Water. So mote it be!" This time I saw a dark blue light wall formed between Erin and I. It seemed the light was incasing me.

"So mote it be!"

"Hail and welcome, frosty Spirits of the North. Lend to us your power and protection this night that Zoey Redbird may be given a true initiation to justly wield the power of Earth. So mote it be!" Green light spilled out and completed the box.

"So mote it be!"

"Hail and welcome, frosty Spirits of the Heavens. Lend to us your power and protection this night that Zoey Redbird may be given a true initiation to justly wield the power of Spirit. So mote it be!" Brilliant and bright purple light spilled out over top of me.

"So mote it be!"

"I call upon the Horned God; I call upon the Maiden, the Mother and the Crone; I call upon Earth, Air, Fire, Water and Spirit; I call upon the Hosts of the Mighty Dead; and I call every true Vampire within this circle to witness that we are here to consecrate Zoey Redbird as High Priestess and Vampire. The circle is cast!"

The colored walls began to bend together overhead and flowing together under the floor to form a hemisphere of bright white light, everyone joined in, "So mote it be!"

Neferet cut a gate in the circle and roughly led me to kneel at the edge and just before the gate, the sword-point was balanced over my heart, this I was prepared for. I grabbed the point of the sword to my chest and held it firmly. "You stand at the edge of a place that is between the worlds, in the presence of the Nyx and under the watchful eye of the Mighty Dead. If you go any further, you embark on a path that cannot be safely turned aside before your final death. Feel the sharpness of the blade at your breast, and know this in your heart that it would be better for you to throw yourself forward and spill out your life than to enter this circle with fear or falseness in your heart."

"I come with perfect love and perfect trust." I recited the words that Neferet told me with utmost honesty and truth to them. I could feel Nyx's spirit turn in my chest.

Neferet laid down the sword, lifted me to my feet and kissed me on the lips. "Thus are all first brought into the Circle." she then led me to the altar and taking up the sword, re-draws the circle over the gateway.

Everyone begin a quiet "Aum" as Neferet prepared to give me the Five-Fold Kiss and I took my oaths.

"Blessed are your feet, which have brought you to this place." Neferet knelt and kissed my feet. "Blessed are your knees, which shall kneel at the altars of Nyx." She kissed my knees. "Blessed is your sex, without which we could not be." She kissed my stomach "Blessed is your breast, formed in strength and beauty." She kissed my chest just above my breasts. "Blessed are your lips which shall speak the Words of Truth." Neferet kissed me on the lips as she stood, "Are you prepared to take the oath?"

"I am."

"Then kneel. You who have from birth been called Zoey Redbird, do you willingly pledge yourself to the Goddess Nyx?"

I placed my left hand on the top of my head and right hand on the soles of the feet. "All between my two hands belongs to Nyx. So mote it be."

All the others raised the volume of their "Aum" slightly.

"And do you swear to keep silent all those things that must be kept silent, to respect that which is taught to you, and to help those to which you teach?"

"I willingly swear to keep silent all that must be kept silent and to respect that which is taught to me and guide those who I guide. So mote it be."

The volume of the "Aum" got a little louder.

"And by what surety do you swear all of these things?" Neferet asked with seriousness in her voice, but love in her eyes.

"All of these things I do swear, by my mother's womb and my hope of future lives, knowing well that my Measure has been taken in the presence of the High Council. Should I fail utterly in my oaths, may my powers desert me, and may my own tools turn against me. So mote it be. So mote it be. So mote it be!"

"SO MOTE IT BE!" everyone joined in.

Everyone soon quickly rushed over and hoisted me completely into the air chanting my name over and over again, as fast as possible, as they carried three times quickly around the circle. When we returned to the starting point, they set me down face-down and pressed me firmly into the ground. It wasn't a pleasant feeling as I was still naked and felt quiet awkward about everyone touching me while I was still naked.

Gradually, the pressure relented to a gentle massage. Through all of this they continued chanting my name, falling off in volume and speed as the pressure relaxes.

"Know that the hands that have touched you are the hands of love."

Neferet handed me the sword and lead me towards the center of the circle, where we both kneeled. Neferet and I chanted at once, "Behold, restless Spirits of the Soul -- I bring before you Zoey Redbird, who has been consecrated as Priestess and Vampire!" We then set for and repeat at the North, West, South, and finally East.

"Thank you Spirits of the Mighty Dead, Spirits of the Elements, and awesome Goddess Nyx for hallowing our circle. Go or stay as you will -- our circle is ended."

After a suitable pause, the High Priestess spoke, "Our lovely rite draws to its end. Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again. Blessed Be!"

"BLESSED BE!" Everyone answered in unison.

Neferet handed me a black robe, just like the one she wore and draped my naked body with it and she picked up the dress that I was wearing. My friends came over to give me huge hugs and showering of kisses from both Erik and Stark, which surprisingly, neither minded.

"That was TOTALLY cool!" Shaunee said.

"Yeah, I've never seen our elements just makes that kind of light before, usually it's the element itself." Erin replied.

"Were you scared?" Stevie Rae asked me.

I thought for a second, "No, I have to say, the nudity part took me by surprise, but I'm not ashamed of what Nyx gave me."

"Well, I think I got my fill of naked women for my entire life. I love you Zoey, but I'm kind of glad I like men." Damien said with a giggle and hugged my tightly.

"Well, that's obvious because if you were straight you'd be all over that hot bod that Zoey has!" Aphrodite chimed in. "I have to admit, I'm too vain to stand there naked in front of the whole school, so Nyx was right when she chose you over me."

"O-M-G! Did I just hear a COMPLIMENT come from the Hag of Hell's mouth?" Shaunee said astonished.

"Yes Twin! I think she did! That is sooo out of character!" Erin said as she put her hands to her face in shock.

"Oh shut it Dorkamiese Twins." Aphrodite said as she rolled her eyes and tossed her hair.

The High Council proceeded forward and the High Priestess comes forth. "Now that you have been initiated with the entire school, it is time we do our private initiation. Come" she motioned for us to follow. My friends gave me a wearily look and followed me through a small door on the side of the Temple that neither of us had really noticed before. The door led to a stair case that lead down to a dark basement below the temple. We followed the High Council down the spiraling staircase. The steps were old and the tunnel smelt of dirt and mold. Obviously no one had been down here in a great while.

"EW!" I heard Aphrodite scream as she waved the spider webs out from in front of her face. Darius caught her before she flung herself down the stairs, picked her up in his arms and continued to go down the stairs with a very thankful Aphrodite in his arms.

We met everyone at the bottom of the stairs in a room that was lit with torches. It looked eerily familiar to the tunnels that ran all over Tulsa. The High Council was positioned in a circle around an emblem on the floor that was a mark of Nyx.

The High Priestess stepped forward; her claret hair that flowed with her every move looked like rich Chinese silk. "Zoey, I am the High Priestess Caren. I have been the High Priestess that presided over all Houses of Night in this country. I have overseen all that you have been through and I can honestly tell you that I am quiet impressed with your bravery, diligence to do what is right and to maintain your composure while many of those around you are fighting for their lives. You have earned the right to be High Priestess, not just because you were chosen by Nyx, but because you are a strong person and vampire. You have characteristics to which we find favorable. Do you accept being High Priestess of this institution?"

"I do"

Caren turned to the tall man which spoke at the initiation. He held a chalice to which Caren bit the fleshiest part of her thumb and dropped a few oozing dropped of blood into the cup. She then took the cup and passed it along to every member of the High Council and they proceeded to do the same until the chalice was full. She turned and presented the cup to me with both hands. It was a gold chalice, much like the fabled Holy Grail that Christian's have been looking for for centuries.

"This is the same cup to which Nyx drank from and gave the dark gift to her children. Those close to her may drink of this, and this holds the blood of Nyx."

I took the cup and looked down at the soupy blood filled cup. I could smell no wine, this was straight blood. I took with both hands and took a small sip. The blood was intoxicating. The moment it hit my lips I wanted to sip more. I probably drank about half the cup before Caren had chuckled and tried to take the chalice away from me.

"Dear child, it is very tempting is it not?" Caren laughed.

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, and licked whatever remained, "Yes, very. I have found I have quiet the bloodlust, even as a fledgling."

"From what I heard, that is true." She smiled. "Now, for your prefect. I know they all have not turned, but hopefully the drink of life will help them along." Caren walked over to Damien first and gave him the chalice to which he sipped. His reaction was not quiet as strong as mine, but I could see his surprise and then relax to savor the taste.

Then to Shaunee and Erin, who have yet to turn. Both of them took small sips and turned their nose up. They have never been fond of drinking blood, at is straight, they never minded it laced with wine. Stevie Rae was the last and as usual almost drank the last.

"Now your Consulate?" Caren asked.

"Yes, I have decided. My Consulate is Aphrodite. I trust her with many secrets and she has always been non-biased with her decisions. I trust her with my life and the life of any student on this campus."

Caren walked to me and held out a small ceremonial knife which she quickly sliced a cut on my arm. I looked at her wildly and confused. "Drink Aphrodite. As her consulate, you must be bonded."

I pulled my arm away, "I am already bonded…" I held my arm to my chest. Aphrodite knew what would happen should she drink from me and then I from her. My bond with Stark would be broken, and very painful.

"With?" Caren asked sternly. "You can not appoint a consulate with a current bond in place. Who is the imprint with and why?" she demanded.

I lowered my head, unable to speak until, "I am her bonded" Stark called out. He stepped forward, "I am willing to endure the pain of her breaking the bond we have. It was for love that we bonded and imprinted. We were young and foolish."

I flashed my eyes at him, almost on the verge of tears as my eyes turned red feeling the blood about to surge. I mouthed to him that I was sorry, and he mouthed 'I love you' back.

"Do you accept his breaking of your bond? Or would you rather appoint him?" Caren asked. She seemed not to care either way.

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. "I don't know Priestess. I do not want to hurt either of us, though I do not think it is far to name him my consulate when I have another man in waiting as well."

Caren's eyebrows drew up in surprise. "Two men after such an affectionate heart? How sweet" she chided. "Zoey, you are going to learn that you will not be able to please everyone. That sometimes, people will get hurt and there is nothing you can do to stop that hurt, but you have to make a decision either way."

I looked sideways to Aphrodite, then to Stark and finally to Erik who was all down in the tunnel with all of us.

"Whatever your choice may be, will not deter my feelings for you one bit." Erik said. "If you were to choose Stark, I wouldn't be offended."

I gave him a half hearted smile. I knew that saying, he said the same thing about Heath, and the whole reason we broke up was because he was becoming increasingly jealous of the time I spent talking to Heath, and then with Stark once he was saved, no matter what Erik said, he was still bothered by it, I knew it. I can't help that I have feelings for other guys, it happens. I'm still young and in no way considering settling down. I looked at Stark, heaviness in my heart, "I'm sorry" I said. He just nodded his head as I turned to Caren, "I choose Aphrodite."

"So be it" Caren said as she sliced my wrist open as my warm and sweet blood oozed out onto the floor at our feet. I could feel my breathing get faster as I was prepared for the pain I knew I would endure. I couldn't help but to look at Stark with pleading eyes as I knew he was going to be in pain as well as our bond was broken.

Caren pushed Aphrodite towards me and commanded her to drink, which she did with no complaint. The same was done to Aphrodite where her wrist was cut and her blood was presented to me. "Drink" Caren commanded me.

I took her arm and looked apprehensive. I looked down at the cut oozing warm, sweet smelling blood that I lusted for. Without looking up I said, "I'm sorry, but this might hurt a bit" as I raised her arm to my mouth and drank Aphrodite's blood which coursed through my system.