Tempted (House of Night #6)(11)

When Aphrodite paused and looked back at her, the nun continued. I imagine Darius is still with Stark. Saying good night to him would be just fine, but you'll find your room on the fourth floor--you'll be sharing it with Zoey and not with the warrior. Ugh, I said under my breath. Aphrodite rolled her eyes. Why does that not surprise me? And, muttering to herself, she continued to twitch away. Sorry, Z, Stevie Rae said after she rolled her eyes at Aphrodite's back. I'd be your roomie again, but I think I should stay down here. Being underground really feels better to me after the sun rises, plus I need to stick close to the red fledglings.

That's okay, I said a little too quickly. So now I didn't even want to be alone with my BFF? Is everyone else still upstairs? Damien asked. I saw him glancing around, and I was pretty sure he was looking for Jack. I, on the other hand, hadn't been looking around for any of my boyfriends. Actually, after their stupid, testosterone display outside, I was thinking that being boyfriendless sounded better and better. And then there was Kalona and the memory I wish I'd never had. Yeah, everyone else is upstairs in the cafeteria or already in bed. Hey, Earth to Zo! Check it out. The nuns have a massively big selection of Doritos, and I even found some brown pop for you-- full of caffeine and sugar, said Heath as he jumped down the last three steps into the basement.

Chapter Six

Thanks, Heath. I suppressed a sigh as Heath walked over to me and, grinning, offered me some nacho cheese Doritos and a can of brown pop. Z, if you're really okay I'd like to find Jack and be sure Duchess is okay, then I'm going to sleep for a little bit of forever, Damien said. No problem, I said quickly, not wanting Damien to say anything about my A-ya memory to Heath. Where's Erik? Stevie Rae asked Heath as I chugged the can of brown pop.

He's still outside being all king of the castle. Did you find anything after I left? Stevie Rae's voice suddenly got so sharp that several of the red fledglings glanced over from watching Maria and the Von Trapps sing My Favorite Things. Nah, he's just a butt and rechecking what Dallas and I already checked. Dallas looked up from his place in front of the TV at the sound of his name. Everything's cool out there, Stevie Rae. Stevie Rae made a come here motion at Dallas, and he hurried to join us. She lowered her voice and said, Fill me in. I already told you outside before you came down here, Dallas said, his eyes wandering back to the TV screen and cream-colored ponies . . . crisp apple strudel . . . Stevie Rae gave his arm a smack. Would you pay attention? I'm not outside anymore. Now I'm in here. So fill me in again. Dallas sighed, turned his full attention to her and gave her a cute, indulgent smile.

Okay, okay. But only 'cause you asked so nice. Stevie Rae frowned at him and he continued. Erik, Johnny B, Heath here, he paused and nodded at Heath, and me--we searched like you told us to, which was no fun 'cause the ice is really slick and it's super-cold out there. He paused. Stevie Rae stared silently at him until he continued. Anyway, like you already know, we were doing that while you were searching down by Twenty-first Street. After a while we all met back at the grotto. That's when we told you we found those three bodies at the Lewis and Twenty-first Street corner. You told us to take care of them. Then you left. So we did what you said, and then me and Heath and Johnny B came inside to dry off, eat, and watch TV.

I guess Erik's still out there looking around. Why? Stevie Rae's voice was sharp. Dallas shrugged, Could be like Heath said. The guy's a butt. Bodies? said Sister Mary Angela. Dallas nodded. Yeah, we found three dead Raven Mockers. Darius shot them out of the sky 'cause they had bullet holes in them. Sister Mary Angela lowered her voice. And what did you do with the dead creatures? Put them in the Dumpsters behind the abbey like Stevie Rae said. It's freezin' out there. They'll keep. And no garbage trucks are gonna be picking up anytime soon, what with the ice and everything. We thought they could stay there till y'all decided what to do with 'em. Oh! Oh, my! The nun's face had gone pale. You put them in the Dumpsters? I didn't tell you to put them in the Dumpsters! Stevie Rae practically yelled. Sssh! Kramisha told her while the TV watchers gave us the stank eye. Sister Mary Angela motioned for us to follow her, and the five of us went quickly out of the basement, up the stairwell, and into the abbey hall. Dallas, I cannot believe you put 'em in the Dumpsters! Stevie Rae rounded on him as soon as we were out of earshot of the others. What'd you expect us to do with them, dig a grave and say Mass? Dallas said, then he glanced at Sister Mary Angela. Sorry, I didn't mean to blaspheme, Sister. My folks are Catholic. You meant no offense, I'm sure, son, said the nun, sounding a little shaky. Bodies . . . I--I hadn't thought about the bodies. Don't worry about it, Sister.

Heath patted her arm awkwardly. You don't have to mess with them. I get what you're feeling. This whole thing: the winged guy, Neferet, the Raven Mockers, well, is all hard to-- They can't stay in the dang Dumpsters, Stevie Rae spoke over Heath as if she hadn't even heard him. It's not right. Why not? I asked calmly. I'd been quiet until then because I'd been studying Stevie Rae, watching closely as she became more and more upset. Stevie Rae suddenly didn't seem to have any problem meeting my gaze. Because it's not right, that's why, she repeated. They were monsters that were part immortal who would have tried their best to kill us all in a split second if Kalona had given them the word, I said. Part immortal and part what? Stevie Rae asked me. I frowned at her, but Heath answered before I could. Part bird? No. Stevie Rae didn't even look at him. She kept staring at me. Not part bird, that's the immortal part. In their blood they're part immortal and part human. Human, Zoey. I feel sorry for the human part, and think it deserves more than being stuck in the trash. There was something about the look in her eye--about the sound of her voice--that really bothered me. I answered her with the first thing that came into my mind. It takes more than an accident of blood to make me feel sorry for someone. Stevie Rae's eyes flashed and her body jerked, almost like I'd slapped her. I guess that's one difference between you and me. All of a sudden I realized why Stevie Rae was able to feel bad for the Raven Mockers.