Awakened (House of Night #8)(14)

"I didn't say I wasn't going to pay them any mind. I just want to take care of my own business my own self without every dang body in the universe nosing around."

"Do you consider me every dang body?" Dragon asked. Stevie Rae forced herself to meet his gaze. "No,'course not."

"And you are in agreement with me that Kramisha's poems are important."

"Well, yeah."

"Then you can't just ignore them." Dragon rested his hand on Stevie Rae's shoulder. "I know how itfeels to want to keep your life private, but you've stepped into a position where there are more important things than your privacy."

"I know that, but I can deal with this myself."

"You didn't deal with the bulls," Kramisha said.

"They still happened." "They're gone, aren't they? So I did deal with them just fine."

"I remember seeing you after your battle with the bull. You were gravely injured. Had you understood Kramisha's warning the cost to you might not have been so great. And then there is the fact that a Raven Mocker appeared, and he might even be the creature Rephaim. That monster is still out there somewhere and a danger to all of us. So, you must understand, young priestess, that a forewarning meant for you cannot be kept private because it touches the lives of others."

Stevie Rae stared into Dragon's eyes. His words were strong. His tone was kind. But was that suspicion and anger she saw in his expression, or was it just the grief that had been shadowing him since the death of his wife?

While she hesitated, Dragon continued, "A beast killed Anastasia. We cannot allow any other innocent to be touched by these creatures of Darkness if we can prevent it. You know I speak truth, Stevie Rae."

"I-I know," she stuttered, trying to order her words. Rephaim killed Anastasia the night Darius shot him from the sky. No one will ever forget that--I can never forget that, especially now that things have changed. It's been weeks and I haven't seen him. At all. Our Imprint is still there. I can feel it, but I haven't felt anything from him.

And that lack of feeling made the decision for Stevie Rae. "Okay, you're right. I need help with this." Maybe this is the way it was meant to be, she thought as she handed Dragon the poems. Maybe Dragon will discover my secret, and when he does it will all be destroyed: Rephaim, our Imprint, and my heart. But at least it'll be over.

As Dragon read the poetry Stevie Rae watched his expression get darker. When he finally looked from the page and into her eyes, there was no mistaking his worry.

"The second bull you conjured, the black one that vanquished the evil bull, what type of connection did you have with him?"

Stevie Rae tried not to show how relieved she was that Dragon was focusing on the bulls and not questioning her about Rephaim. "I don't know if you could really call it a connection, but I thought he was beautiful. He was black, but there was no Darkness about him. He was incredible--like the night sky, or the earth."

"The earth..." Dragon seemed to be thinking aloud. "If the bull reminds you of your element, perhaps that is enough for the two of you to remain connected."

"But we know he's good," Kramisha said. "They's no mystery 'bout that. The poems can't be talkin' 'bout him."

"So?" Stevie Rae couldn't hide her irritation. Kramisha was like a dang dog with a soup bone. She just wouldn't leave it alone.

"So, the poem, 'specially the last one, is all about trusting the truth. We already know he's good. You can trust the black bull. Why do you need a poem to tell you that?"

"Kramisha, like I tried to tell you before, I do not know."

"I just don't think they's talkin' 'bout the black bull," Kramisha said.

"What else could they be talkin' about? I don't know any other beasts." Stevie Rae said the words fast, as if speed could take away the lie.

"You said Dallas has an unusual new affinity, and that he has seemed to go mad. Is that correct?" Dragon asked.

"Yeah, basically," Stevie Rae said.

"The beast reference could be symbolic of Dallas. The poem might mean that you need to trust the humanity that is still within him," Dragon said.

"I don't know about that," Stevie Rae said. "He was one hot mess and super crazy last time I saw him. I mean he was saying some seriously weird stuff about that Raven Mocker he saw."

"Council Meeting is being called to session!" Lenobia's voice drifted down the hallway from the open door to the Council Chamber. "Do you mind if I keep this?" Dragon lifted the piece of paper as they started down the hall. "I'll copy it, and then return it to you, but I'd like a chance to study and consider the poetry more thoroughly."

"Yeah, that's okay with me," Stevie Rae said.

"Well, I'm glad we got your brain workin' on this, Dragon," Kramisha said.

"Me, too," Stevie Rae said, trying to sound like she was telling the truth.

Dragon paused. "I won't share this with everybody, only those vampyres I believe could help us understand the poetry's meaning. I understand your wish for privacy."

"I'll tell Zoey about it as soon as she gets back tomorrow," Stevie Rae said.

Dragon frowned. "I do think you should share the poetry with Zoey, but sadly, she will not be returning to the House of Night tomorrow."