My stomach clenched and I doubled over in searing pain, worst than when I broke my bond with Erik, or even with Heath. The pain was unbearable and tears of blood shot out of my eyes. Aphrodite reached down and rubbed my back, "It will be over soon" she cooed mother like, very unlike Aphrodite. I heard nothing from Stark as my own pain superseded his own. When it finally died down I looked up to see Stark who had grabbed Erik's arm and was squeezing, his eyes tight shut and his mouth clinched tight as he breathed fast through his nose. When it finally passed for him he opened his eyes as a single blood tear dripped down his face. Stark knelt down in front of me, took my face into his hands and kissed my forehead, "I will always love you, I told you that before, and no matter what happens between us, or anyone else, I will always feel that way towards you."

I smiled and hugged him tightly, knowing this was not the last we'll be close again. I felt Nyx's pull towards him and I smiled. He helped me to my feet and I looked at Aphrodite and each of my friends who had faces of worry that were clear to be seen in their eyes.

Caren stepped forward, "Now that your past imprint has been broken and re-bond with your Consulate, do you swear, Zoey Redbird, never to break your bond except in final death? Do you swear to confess truth and faithfulness to your partner as you both will share in your feelings and thoughts?"

The oath sounded strangely to a marriage vow so I figured the correct response would be, "I do" Shaunee and Erin had a good chuckle.

"Do you Aphrodite swear to uphold the secrets of your High Priestess, to comfort her in times of distress, to be bipartisan to all matters of politics? Do you swear to never break your bond until through final death? Do you swear to confess truth and faithfulness to your High Priestess as you both will share in your feelings and thoughts?"

"I do" replied Aphrodite.

Again the Twin's burst out with laughter until Neferet turned to give them quite the evil glare, which shut them up very quickly. Damien nudged them both with his elbow and told them to shut it, but in a more eloquent way that they didn't quiet understand, as if they ever understood Damien's choice of vocabulary.

"I now present you your Consulate, High Priestess Zoey." Caren bowed her head and put her fist over her heart in salute as did the rest of the High Council.

"More like Husband and Wife?" Shaunee whispered to Erin.

"Haha Twin, I was thinking the same thing!" Erin replied.

Aphrodite walked right over to the Twins, "I may not be a Prefect member, but I am the Consulate and you WILL be considerate when around others of higher power than yourselves."

I couldn't help but to laugh as Aphrodite managed to shut the twins up quite quickly, but not without a roll of their eyes for a change.

As everyone departed I felt myself be a little lighter, freer, as if Nyx's spirit was truly lifted inside me, I was happy. Very happy. In turn, I looked at Aphrodite who had the biggest grin on her face that I've ever seen. I smiled back at her and her smile disappeared. "Ugh, your feelings are SO affecting me! Don't be so happy!" she squawked.

Before heading up the stairs again Neferet grabbed my hand and have me a big hug. "I believe you can put this back on. I'm sorry about not warning you earlier."

"It's ok, caught me by surprise, but overall, I'm thankful for what Nyx gave me." I said as I slipped my dress back on and Neferet helped me zip it up the back.

"This dress really is marvelous on you. I'm glad to have the opportunity to share something with you and to pass it down. I wore this when I was initiated to High Priestess." Neferet said as she straightened my straps and turned me to face her. "Zoey, I think of you as a daughter. I have never had much of a maternal instinct, but I feel overly protective of you. I really hope you can look to me as a mother figure even in light of our past."

I smiled as those were the words I had been waiting to hear. I couldn't help it but Nyx's spirit leapt out of me and I threw myself upon her. "I would want nothing more!" I exclaimed as I gave her the biggest hug I could possibly muster.

A few people were left in the temple waiting as Neferet and I came emerging out. Mostly just Stevie Rae, Aphrodite and Darius. The rest of my friends left already to attend to the after party. My Grandma had stayed behind for the second ceremony and greeted me with a large hug and showering me with congratulations and kisses. For once in my life, I felt loved. Like nothing could go wrong. Then just as my spirit leapt in happiness, my mind returned back to Jack's visit earlier and his warning, which left me feeling very ominous.

"Ok, so now that we have all this pomp and circumstance done, let's go PARTY!" Stevie Rae exclaimed in her thick Okie accent as she grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the Temple. "Oh Z! The whole school has the night off tonight, just to celebrate you!"

I felt a little uneasy that the whole school was looking at me for their good time tonight. But fear and rejection subsided to happiness and glee. The after party was being held in the school's ballroom. It was grand. I could see little glimmers of light spilling out of the windows. I stopped at the doors and Stevie Rae looked back at me, "You ok?"

"Yeah, just a little nervous I guess?" I said with an unsure smile on my face.

"Don't be! Tonight is all about you. Dance, sing, drink, eat and be merry! This is a great day for all Vampire's!" Stevie Rae told me as she began to open the doors. I was overwhelmed with the sight.

The windows were arched, almost a Gothic style to it with heavy lavender linens. A round table greeted us at our entrance which was a few steps down from the balcony that leads to the dance floor. The vase on the table was a bouquet of lavender, larkspur and purple shaded roses. Everything was purple themed. I could only guess because Neferet knew how fond I was of my Grandma's lavender farm, and I always kept fresh lavender in my room along with lavender products. Large crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings that reflected the light all over the room. Candles and oil lamps where the only source of light in the ballroom and it made it look majestic.

Neferet came in from behind me and said she would introduce me to the House of Night and then we could go down and mingle with everyone. I followed her up the steps to the overhead balcony. Neferet raised her hands, "Merry Meet my children of Nyx"

"Merry Meet" everyone said in response.

"This is a joyous occasion. It has been prophesized that a child of Nyx will come and bring us all hope, will push us forward in this world beyond our past codes, but to a new wave of understanding and living. This child of Nyx, I am very proud to present, as you may all know, Zoey Redbird. She has been gifted and touched by Nyx in a very special way. Please welcome your new High Priestess to this House of Night. Now, let's carry on with the festivities." Neferet finished as everyone was applauding.

I looked down to see Stark and Erik, standing next to each other, looking at me with such love and affection clapping along with the rest before they saluted and bowed to me. I nodded my head. Shaunee and Erin were with TJ and Cole doing the same while far in the corner I saw Damien who looked solemn and upset.

I walked down the stairs from the balcony onto the marble dance floor. The ceiling in the ballroom was glass so we could see out into the Nyx sky. I walked towards Damien as everyone wanted to hug me and congratulate me and chit chat. I simply didn't have time for small talk. I nudged Damien in the shoulder, "What's up?"

"Nothing. Please enjoy your party." Damien said very dryly.

I took him by the hand and sat us down on a marble bench that lined the room. "No, what's the matter Damien? Something is wrong. Your not your normal self."

"What did you expect Zoey? Jack is gone. I have no one. Now I feel utterly alone." Damien explained as he started to tear up.

"Jack's not gone Damien." I said very matter of factly.

"Zoey, you saw him die. He's gone!"

"He may be gone physically, but I know for a fact he's not 100% gone." I bent to catch his eyes with mine as he placed his head in his hands.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"You can't tell anyone!" my finger shook in his face, "I mean it! You can't tell the Twins at all or Stevie Rae."

"What is it?"

"I've seen Jack" I blurted out.

"What do you mean you've 'seen Jack'"? Damien arched his eye brow and asked.

"Meaning, he came to Aphrodite's room after everyone left, he visited me outside when I had that nightmare. I've seen him Damien. I've touched him, I've talked to him."

I could see Damien's face getting brighter, "Do you think…is it possible he could be…"

"No Damien, he is not a red fledgling. I know that's what you were about to ask, but no. Jack is really dead. I'm sorry to tell you that, but he is. I can't even begin to imagine how much that hurts, I've been there, but I never really lost anyone fully. However, just because he's not here right now, doesn't mean he can't hear you" I smiled at him.

"So, his spirit comes to visit you then?" Damien asked, I nodded. "What did you talk about? Can I see him?"

"He came to warn me about something very evil heading this way. I can't answer that second question because he said he was only showing himself to me right now, but I don't know if he has plans to show himself to the others, or to you. But I promise, if I do see him another time, I will ask him especially to go see you."

"Thank you Z. I would really like that. I never really had closure with his death. I never got to tell him just how much he meant to me." I saw a tear form in Damien's eyes and I put my arm around him and comforted him.

"Hey y'all. What's going on?" Stevie Rae asked as she beamed in front of us.

"Nothing, just a little chit chat and some loneliness that's all" I said giving Damien a bright smile.

"Well, I know your quiet a dancer Damien, at least you'd have to be in order to be such a great swordsman. So get on your feet and dance with me!" Stevie Rae grabbed his hand and pulled him out on the dance floor. It was a nice upbeat song playing, everyone seemed to enjoy it. I sat on the bench just watching. I didn't really have a desire to get up and dance, I wanted to watch everyone else. How everyone interacted.

"Ugh, will you PLEASE just enjoy yourself for a change and not thinking about work, work, work all the time! It's driving me batty!" Aphrodite said as she gave me a cup of wine laced blood.

"Sorry, I've just got a lot on my mind." I answered still holding the cup in my lap too somber to drink it.

"Like I haven't noticed." Aphrodite said as she just about took a sip of her drink before she put it back down, "You know, in a very strange way, I'm thankful that you came here. To this House of Night."

I turned to Aphrodite and smiled, "Well, your welcome. I don't know why your thanking me though."

Aphrodite took my glass and her's and put it on the ledge above us then took my hands in her's, "I've been a selfish bitch. I've been taught to be selfish, to take everything that I want. Don't ask questions, don't care who you hurt. In the long run, it's ME that get's hurt. I've never had any good friends."

"What about Wasp, or Hornet, or whatever their names were" I asked jokingly.

"Please, they weren't my friends; they just followed me because they thought it was cool to be in the in group." Aphrodite waved her hand in the air to dismiss what I had just said, "Anyways, I wanted to tell you thank you. Thank you for saving me. Thank you for showing me that people can love and be kind. Thank you for giving more of a family than my real parents would have ever given me. Thank you for trusting me and I promise that I will never let you down."

"Wow, that's very…gallant of you Aphrodite and very humble. Two things that most people wouldn't think you had inside you. But I see what you've been through. I went through a lot of that myself and while it didn't make me hard like it did you, I had my Grandma to get me through the hard times. I'm glad that we can share her and she makes you feel like a good person again. I think you will come to understand that I believe that all people have good in them, no matter how bad they may act, there is always a bit of good in them." I smiled and gave her a huge hug, which she was awkward about at first but then relented and hugged me back.

"Oh my God Twin! Did you just see that?" Erin blurted out.

"I think the Hag of Hell just showed an affectionate side!" Shaunee said in disbelief.

"Shut it Dorkamiese Twins!" Aphrodite rolled her eyes and got up to find Darius on the dance floor.

"What was that all about?" Erin asked.

"Yeah, was she being fresh with you?" Shaunee asked.

"You know you guys, it doesn't hurt to be nice to Aphrodite once in a while. She's had it hard and it doesn't make it any easier to change when your constantly hounded."

"Well, I still don't like her" Shaunee added.

"Yeah, me neither. She used to refer to Stevie Rae as a Refrigerator, or did you forget all that?" Erin said.

"No, I remember it, but I've also forgiven it. Nyx put her in our path for a reason. And remember or not without her help, we might still be in those tunnels and it wouldn't have been pretty!" I chastised them both. "Now, why don't you just let the past be in the past, grow past it and try to forgive her? It would make it so much easier if you did that."

Shaunee and Erin hung their heads, "Really? Do we have to?" they said in unison.

"Yes"

"Fine" they both said as they got up off the bench and headed back towards a waiting TJ and Cole. I just shook my head and remembered my drink on the ledge. I swirled it around in the cup for a while before bringing it to my lips. My nose caught a wiff of a smell that wasn't quiet right. My brows furrowed as I looked down into the cup. The blood was not infused in the wine like it has always been before. This was a filmy grim that was on top of the liquid. I touched a bit with my finger and sniffed it. Instantly I reared from the stench. This was not right. Not at all. I checked the cup that Aphrodite had, same filmy grim that was floating on top. I ran to the fountain but not before Stark grabbed my arm and spun me around.

"Where are running off to in such a hurry?" he flashed his brilliant smile.

"The fountain!" I pointed. "We need to stop people from trying to drink it!"

Stark caught how worried I looked and grabbed my hand as we ran towards the fountain. He ran up and smacked the cups out of many fledglings' hands which came with many snarls and tongue lashings.

"Don't drink the blood!" I screamed. "Spit it out, put it back, and don't drink it!"

Neferet and Caren came running towards me, "What is the matter Zoey?"

"The blood, it looks and smells…unusual. I have a terrible feeling about it."

That's when the first fledgling went down.