We had been searching for hours and it seemed like the sun was just about to rise before we were too exhausted to look any further. We'd have to be quick because I could feel the sunlight start to drain my energy already and same with Stark. The sun had always affected me when I first came to the House of Night. It was almost unbearable to be out when the sun was up anymore, at least now that I've changed when we were in the tunnels.

I decided to check one last place, the stables. I had always told Grandma about Persephone and how it was one of my favorite places to be when I needed to get away. It made me think of the times I spent with Bunny, my grey horse that Grandma had years ago. I loved that horse, just as much as I love Persephone now. I hoped that Grandma remembered my stories about the horses here and sought out refuge there if she couldn't find her way back. I wouldn't blame her, this was a large campus, and very easy to get lost.

"Grandma?" I poked my head into the barn hearing the huffing of a horse's snout throughout. "Are you in here?" I looked all over, the barn was dark and musty. A single light hung down in the middle that let off an amber glow so we could just faintly see the outlines of the horses. Though, with us being Vampire's, seeing in the dark was pretty easy for us.

I stopped when I heard a rustle coming from the back of the barn where most of the riding gear was. I held a finger up to Stark and told him to wait; he rolled his eyes and walked in front of me. "No way I'm going to let the High Priestess get killed searching around in the dark" as he marched out in front of me.

Stark grabbed his bow and pulled out an arrow which he pulled tight as he walked around the stables. He looked like a SWAT member with a bow and arrow instead of a gun, using the arrowhead to guide him as he weaved through the barn. We heard the rustling again and this time coming from one of the stables. I heard a soft neigh coming from our right, close to where Persephone sleeps. I slipped past Stark as he was checking out the rest of the stalls and I walked over to Persephone. She seemed to be fidgety in her stall, looking all around and all wild. "What is it girl?" I patted her neck. She huffed and turned her head towards the back corner.

I let out a small gasp. Grandma. She was huddled in the corner of Persephone's stall and she didn't look conscious. "Stark, Quick!" I screamed to him. He ran faster than I'd ever seen him run before, he came from behind me and just looked down into the stall.

"I smell blood" he sniffed the air. "Lots of blood" as his nostrils flared. I opened Persephone's stall and told her to get as she trotted out into the open field. I ran to Grandma and put my arms around her. She didn't move. That's when I smelt it. That sweet richness that filled my nose. I wanted it wherever it was. The smell of blood had always intoxicated me, even as a fledgling, and I am learning that ever since I changed, my need for blood was growing more intense. I yearned for it, I no longer just wanted the blood for the taste or pleasure, but I needed it. I needed it to live and it needed me. It called to me. Just like Grandma's blood was doing, needing me. I touched the floor and put my blood soaked fingers to my mouth, savoring the taste that was so sweet.

Stark moved passed me and took her pulse. I was streaming with tears of blood now, sobbing like a child even though I couldn't get over just how amazing my Grandma's blood was to me. I managed to choke out, "Is she ok?"

"She still has a pulse, but we have to get her to the infirmary and quick" He said as he picked her up in his arms and huffed as he stood up with Grandma lifeless in his arms. "Eww, what's that?" he said as he tried to get a better grip on her back. Stark set her down and rolled her over to examine her back.

"What in the…" I started to say as my eyes caught a glance at the huge chunks of skin missing from her back. In strips that went from her shoulder blades to her pelvis, jagged and ugly, they looked as though a monster or beast had ripped her open. I put my hand to my mouth as I caught glimpse of it all. It was horrid. Grandma was losing so much blood from it, and it seemed to ooze with a creamy yellow color. I suddenly felt sick to my stomach. Tainted blood. Eww gross! And I had just bitten my hand off licking the blood from my fingers. Oh God, I didn't taint myself did I?

"We have to get her to Neferet, hurry!" I whistled for Persephone who trotted over, only a few short yards away from us. Stark threw a blanket over her back and I helped him hoist Grandma over Persephone's back. I climbed up first so I could hold onto Grandma and Stark gave me the reins. "You're not coming with me?" I gave him a pouty look; honestly I wanted him to be with me so I wouldn't have to carry Grandma on my own. I wasn't sure I was strong enough to keep her from falling.

"You'll be fine" he said as though he read my mind, "I'll meet you at the infirmary. You go straight there; I will get Erik and Neferet."

"Thank you" I mouthed to him and we took off. As swift as the wind could carry us, Persephone galloped at top speed, not bothering to slow down for anything or anyone. I heard a howl off into the distance that distracted my attention, but it did not let down Persephone. I prayed to the Goddess that nothing would happen to Grandma before we got her to the infirmary. Please Nyx; don't let anything happen to my Grandma. She's all I have left.

By the time I got there, Neferet and Erik and Stark were already waiting for me in front of the infirmary. Stark and Erik helped me down and then gently slid Grandma off Persephone. I patted the horse's neck and told her to shoo on and head back to her stall. Like a diligent and mindful horse, she left in the same direction to which we came.

"I have not seen these kinds of markings in a great while" Neferet said as she inspected the tattered clothing that my Grandma was wearing. "Do not fear, she is under no pain anymore" she tried to comfort me and patted my shoulder, "Erik, you will help me with the wounds."

Erik walked up to Grandma and placed his hands on her back and closed his eyes, "Goddess Nyx, healer of all healers, Goddess of night, help me to restore this generous, trusting, and outwardly loving woman back to her former glory. Let her live in peace and without pain so she can endure all the pleasures life can bring her."

I bright glow eminated from his fingers. I saw instantly as the wounds began to close, as if magic. I wouldn't help but to let out a "Wow" as my eyes were wide as a deer. Erik looked back at me and smiled.

"Her heart beats strong" Neferet added. "You are so very lucky to have found her when you did. She was poisoned and probably would have died within a matter of moments had you not been there to see her Zoey."

"What were those marks?" I asked stroking Grandma's hair as a tear came down my cheek. I was too close to losing my Grandma. I knew eventually one day I would lose her, but not like this, old age, ok, gashes in her back, no. Not under my watch.

"I have not seen those kinds of marks in a long time. If it is what I think it is, we are in for a series of trouble." Neferet said as she shook her head. "A Wendigo did this. They are terrible and frightening demons."

"Wendigo? I've heard that before…." I said as I started to think where I had heard the word before.

"It is a Native American demon. I'm sure your Grandma used to tell stories about them." Neferet added.

"Well, I'm sure that's it too, but no, I've heard it elsewhere" I rattled my brain trying to think of where I had heard the story before.

"Roanoke Island" Erik said. "The lost settlement. Many believe that they were lost to cannibalism, that the Indian's chewed them up and hid their bones."

"But many Native American's believe that a Wendigo did it. They are demon's that possess the weak spirited and turn them into cannibalistic hunters! You're a genius!" I interrupted Erik as the information flew to my brain. I grabbed his face and kissed him on the lips. "How could I not remember that?"

Stark cleared his throat and I turned around to look at him. I bit my lip, hard. Damnit, Ho bag Zoey here. No, let's go kiss your almost ex-boyfriend in front of your almost ex-almost boyfriend again. Ugh, this was way too confusing. I needed to find a way NOT to be in both of their presence at the same time. This was going to end up bad. "Sorry" I said quietly.

Stark just rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to my Grandma. "What can be done for her?" he asked Neferet

"It seems that she's taking well to Erik's healing, now we can only wait. My healing has subsided her pain, but I am unsure of how she will be" Neferet said with her head low. This was quiet unusual. Nyx gifted Neferet with Healing, not the same as Erik's but similar. She can take away pain, but she can't make someone heal like Erik did. She can also sense how quickly they will heal. So her not knowing if Grandma would be ok was tearing at my heart.

"But you have to know!" I snapped at her. "You are supposed to know! Tell me now! Is she going to be ok?"

Neferet was a bit taken back by my snapping, "Zoey, I'm sorry, I simply don't know. Her spirit is old; I think we should wait to see how she does."

"You better hope that she makes it out alive then." My eyes narrowed. "She shouldn't have been walking around that late anyways, why didn't you stop her?" I knew I was taking my anger and grief out on Neferet, but with all we had been through, I felt it was deserved.

Neferet walked around the table that Grandma was laying on and she put her hands on my shoulders, "I know your hurting child. I am sorry I can not do further. I respect Silvia more than any human I've ever met. I would do all I can for her."

I took a deep breath as she looked deeply into my eyes. I knew she was sincere. Ever since Grandma brought me to the House of Night when she found me lying on the ground with a huge gash in my forehead, she made Neferet promise to take care of me. They stayed close until...well, no need to get back into that. All in all, Neferet respected my Grandma, not just because she was my Grandma, is because that no matter how nasty and evil her daughter was, she loved me and cared for me and was genuinely true. She accepted me for what I was and never asked anything else from me. Neferet saw a bit of a mother in her as well, considering her childhood past.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you Neferet. I know you would do all in your power to make sure she is ok"

"I will make it my utmost priority. She will stay here with me until I have further news." Neferet bowed her head and gave the High Priestess salute with her fist over her breast. "My Priestess"

I nodded to her and turned back to my sleeping Grandma. At least Erik was able to heal the marks on her back. Now the only thing left to figure out was how they got there. If what Neferet and Erik said were true, as well as Grandma's stories, then we were going to have to deal with a Wendigo, but who was the Wendigo?

"Heath!" I snapped my head back at Erik and Stark. "Where is Heath?"

"I saw him walking with Silvia this evening, was he not close by?" Neferet asked.

"We weren't really concerned about Heath, Zoey just wanted to find her Grandma. I can run out to the stables to see if he is there as well" Stark offered.

"Very wise. Go, make haste and be swift." Neferet ushered him.

"Should I go with him?" Erik offered.

"No, we need you here. I need you to stay with Neferet." I told him.

"And where will you be going?" he asked.

"I need to find the rest of my Prefect." I said as I gave Grandma a soft kiss on the forehead before I left and whispering to her, "A-ya e-he-na ga-so-hi. A-ya tsi ni-hi." (I'll come back. I love you) I couldn't believe the native tongue coming from my mouth. I knew simple words in Cherokee, but I had never been able to just speak it. It just flowed right out of my mouth. I actually clamped my hand up to my lips in shock.

"What's the matter Z?" Erik asked.

I just shook my head and said nothing. I chuckled a bit before putting my hand down and turning to walk out of the door. "I'll be right back"