Tempted (House of Night #6)(63)

But someone has to tell the High Council what's really going on with Neferet and Kalona. I can't do that. I'm just a fledgling. No, Zoey, you're our High Priestess, the first fledgling High Priestess, and they will listen to you because Nyx is with you. It's obvious to me. It was obvious to Shekinah. It will be obvious to them, as well. I wasn't so sure, but everyone was giving me big smiles of encouragement, which really just made me want to barf my guts up. Rather than puking or my second choice, bursting into tears, I said, When do we leave? As soon as possible, Lenobia said. We have no idea how much damage Kalona is doing right now.

Think of the disaster he wrought here in only a matter of days. It's almost dawn. We're going to have to wait for the sun to set. Stark's voice was tight with frustration. Because I would imagine now that the ice storm is over, the sun will actually be visible, and that means Stevie Rae and I will fry getting to the plane. You leave here at sunset, Lenobia said. Until then, pack, eat, and rest. I'll take care of the arrangements. I don't think Zoey should stay on San Clemente Island, Stark said. He turned to Darius for support. Don't you agree it's a bad idea for her to stay exactly where Aphrodite saw her drowning? Stark, she also saw me getting decapitated right here in Tulsa. It didn't happen, though, because my friends didn't turn their backs on me. Where I am isn't as important as the fact that I know I'm in danger, and I'm surrounded by people who have my back.

But she saw me with you! If I can't protect you, who can? I can, Darius said. Air can, too, Damien said. Fire can kick some butt, Shaunee said. I got water, and I'm sure as hell not letting Zoey drown, Erin said indignantly. Earth will always protect Zoey, Stevie Rae said, though her expressive eyes seemed sad. I'm annoyingly human, but I'm still mean. If someone gets by Darius, you, and the nerd of herd, they'll have to go through me, too, said Aphrodite. Add one more annoying to that human, fledgling, and vamp soup, Heath said. See, I told Stark as I blinked hard to keep the tears that had filled my eyes from overflowing. It's not all on you. We're in this together. Stark's gaze held mine, and I could see how tortured he was. To have an oath-bound High Priestess be killed was every warrior's nightmare. Just the mention that Aphrodite had seen him there, and then seen me being killed anyway, had been enough to completely shake Stark's confidence.

It really will be okay. I promise, I said. He nodded and then looked away, like he couldn't bear to meet my gaze any longer. All right. Let's get busy. Pack light. You won't have time to carry around a bunch of baggage. Each of you take a book bag with your essentials, Lenobia said. I saw Aphrodite blanch in horror and had to cough to hide a giggle. I'll meet you in the cafeteria at sunset. She started to leave, then paused at the door. Zoey, be sure you're not sleeping alone. Let's keep Kalona out of your head as much as possible. We don't want him to have any idea you're coming after him. I swallowed hard, but nodded. Yeah, okay. Blessed be, she said. Blessed be, we all chimed in, even Heath. Lenobia closed the door, and no one said anything for a few moments. I think we were all a little stunned and hadn't quite grasped the fact that we were actually going to Italy to speak before the Vampyre High Council.

Or at least I was going to speak. Ah, hell. I was going to have to speak in front of the Vampyre High Council. Or maybe I'd get up there, in front of all those old, powerful vamps and have raging diarrhea and poo myself. Yep. That would certainly make an impression on the Council. Unique would be just one of the words they'd call me. Jack's question stopped my semi-hysterical mind babble. What are we gonna do with Duchess and the cats? I looked down at Nala, purring away beside me, and said, Uh-oh. We can't take them, Stark said. There's no way. Then sounding more like himself he added, They're gonna be pissed when we get back, though. Especially those cats. Cats can carry a grudge. Aphrodite snorted. You're telling me. Have you met my cat? Speaking of, I'm going to go spend some quality time with her while I grab something to eat and pack.

She gave Darius a coy smile. If you'd like to get in on that quality time, you're invited. I don't have to be asked twice, he said. Blessed be, Priestess, he told me before taking her hand heading to her room to do Goddess-was-the-only-one-who-wanted-to-know what. We better get our stuff taken care of, too, Damien said. I can't believe we're supposed to take one book bag of clothes. Where are all my shoes going to go? Jack asked. I think we're only supposed to take one pair of shoes, Heath said helpfully. Jack was still gasping in horror as he and Damien left. That left me with Stark and Heath and Stevie Rae. Before things could get mega-awkward, Stark surprised me by saying, Heath, would you sleep with Zoey? Hey, man, as far as I'm concerned, I'd like to always sleep with Zoey. I punched his arm, but he still grinned like a dork. What are you going to do? I asked Stark.

He wouldn't meet my eyes. I want to check the perimeter before dawn, and I'll see if Lenobia needs help settling things. Then I'll get something to eat. Where are you going to sleep? In the dark. He turned to me, bowed formally with his right fist over his chest. Blessed be, my lady. Before I could say anything else to him, he left. I was stunned silent. He's freaked 'cause of Aphrodite's vision, Stevie Rae said, getting off my bed and going to rummage through the drawers that used to be hers before she died and un-died. I was glad I'd made Neferet and the vamps give me some of her stuff back, so she actually had things to rummage through. Don't let Stark hurt your feelings, Zo, Heath said. He's pissed at himself, not at you. Heath, I appreciate you wanting to make me feel better, but it's just too weird to have you be on Stark's side.