Hidden (House of Night #10)(6)

"Good to know. My mamma always said I needed a keeper. Hope she rests better knowin' I got me one." He sounded like his throat was full of sandpaper.

Lenobia smiled. "You've got one, but I think it is you who needs to learn to rest."

The tips of his fingers touched her hand and he said, "I believe I can now. I was just waitin' to find my way home."

Lenobia stared into his amber and olive eyes that were so familiar, so very, very much like Martin's, and imagined she could see through to that also familiar soul-to the kindness and strength, honesty and love that somehow had fulfilled his promise to return to her. Deep within her Lenobia knew that even though the rest of the tall, wiry cowboy looked nothing at all like her lost love, she'd found her heart again. Emotion clogged her voice, and all she could do was smile, nod, and turn her hand so that his fingertips rested on her palm-warm, strong, and very much alive.

"We need to get him to St. John's, ma'am," said the EMT.

Lenobia took her touch reluctantly from Travis, wiped her eyes, and said, "You can have him for a little while, but I'll want him back. Soon." She turned her storm cloud gaze on the white-jacketed human. "Treat him well. This barn fire is small in comparison to the heat of my temper."

"Y-yes, ma'am," the EMT stammered, quickly lifting Travis into the ambulance. Before they closed the doors and, with lights flashing, drove away, Lenobia was sure she heard Travis's chuckle turn to a wracking cough.

She was standing there, staring after the ambulance and worrying about Travis, when someone nearby cleared his throat rather obviously, and Lenobia's attention instantly shifted. Turning, she saw what her tunnel vision-like focus on Travis had caused her to ignore. The school seemed to have exploded. Horses milled nervously as close to the east wall as they could get. Fire trucks were parked on the grounds beside the stable, spraying enormous hoses filled with rushing water on the still burning structure. Fledglings and vampyres had gathered in frightened groups, looking helpless.

"Calm, Mujaji ... calm. All is well now, my sweet one." Lenobia closed her eyes and concentrated on using the gift her Goddess had granted her more than two hundred years ago. She felt the beautiful black mare respond instantly, releasing her agitation and blowing out the last of her fear and nervousness. Then Lenobia's connection shifted to the big Percheron, who was pawing the ground fretfully, ears flicking wildly as she searched for Travis. "Bonnie, he is well. You have nothing to fear." Lenobia spoke softly, echoing the waves of emotion she was transmitting to the anxious mare. Bonnie quieted almost as quickly as had Mujaji, which pleased Lenobia immensely and allowed her to spread her attention easily to the rest of the herd. "Persephone, Anjo, Diva, Little Biscuit, Okie Dodger"-she picked through the herd, sending special warmth and reassurance to individual horses-"follow Mujaji's lead. Be calm. Be strong. You are safe."

The nearby throat cleared again, breaking her concentration. Irritated, Lenobia opened her eyes to see a human standing in front of her. He was dressed in a fireman's uniform, and he was watching her with raised-brow, open curiosity. "Are you talking to those horses?"

"Actually, I am doing much more than that. Take a look." She made a gesture at the herd behind him. He turned, and his face registered surprise. "They've calmed down a bunch. That's bizarre."

"Bizarre has such negative connotations. I like the word magickal instead." Dismissively, Lenobia nodded to the fireman and then began striding toward the group of fledglings that were clustered around Erik Night and Professor P.

"Ma'am, I'm Captain Alderman, Steve Alderman," he said, almost jogging to keep up with Lenobia. "We're working to get this fire under control, and I need to know who's in charge here."

"Captain Alderman, I would like to know that myself," Lenobia said grimly. Then, she added, "Come with me. I'll get this sorted out." The Horse Mistress joined Erik, Professor P, and their bunch of fledglings, which included a Son of Erebus Warrior, Kramisha, Shaylin, and several fifth and sixth former blue fledglings. "Penthesilea, I know Thanatos is with Zoey and her circle, completing the ritual at Sylvia Redbird's farm, but where is Neferet?" Lenobia's voice was a whip.

"I-I simply do not know!" The literature professor sounded shaken, staring over her shoulder at the burning stables. "I went to her quarters myself when I saw the fire, but there was no sign of her."

"How 'bout her phone? Didn't nobody try to call her?" Kramisha said.

"Not answering," Erik said.

"Wonderful," Lenobia muttered.

"Can I assume that due to the absence of the others you just mentioned, you are in charge here?" Captain Alderman asked her.

"Yes, it appears, by default, I am," she said.

"Well, then, you need a school roster, ASAP. You and the teachers should check immediately to be sure all of your students are present and accounted for." He jerked his thumb toward a bench not far from where they stood. "That girl-the one with the red moon on her forehead, is the only kid we found anywhere near the barn. She's not hurt, just shook up a little. The oxygen is clearing her lungs unusually fast. Still, it might be a good idea for her to get checked out at St. John's."

Lenobia glanced over to where Nicole was sitting, breathing deeply from an oxygen mask while a paramedic checked and rechecked her vitals. Margareta and Pemphredo hovered close by, glaring at the EMT like he was a particularly disgusting insect.