Tempted (House of Night #6)(69)

We're ready, Stevie Rae yelled, and then tossed my book bag to me. I think you should follow what your gut is tellin' you, just like Nyx has always said. Sure, you've messed up in the past. So have I. But both of us have chosen to be squarely on the side of our Goddess, and that's what counts in the end. I nodded, suddenly finding it hard to speak. Stevie Rae hugged me. You'll do the right thing. I know you will, she said. My laugh sounded more like a sob, and I said, Yeah, but after how many mess-ups? She smiled at me. Life's about messing up. And I'm startin' to think it wouldn't be as exciting if we were perfect. I could do with a little boring right now, I said.

We were laughing when we walked out in the hall and joined an annoyed Aphrodite. I noticed her book bag was a Betsey Johnson carry-on, and that it was so full it was bulging at its fashionable seams. I think that's cheating, I said, pointing at her bag. It's not cheating. It's improvising. Cute bag, Stevie Rae said. I heart me some Betsey Johnson. You are way too country for Betsey, Aphrodite said. Am not, Stevie Rae said. Am too, Aphrodite said, and countered with Bumpkin exhibit A--those horrid jeans. Ropers? Seriously? I have two words for you: Up. Date. Oh, no. You did not just talk about my Ropers . . . I let the two of them bicker as I followed them to the cafeteria. Actually, I hardly heard them. My mind was miles away on a rooft op in the middle of a dream.

The cafeteria was busy, but, bizarrely, too quiet as Aphrodite, Stevie Rae, and I joined the Twins, Jack, and Damien, who were already wolfing down bacon and eggs. As I expected, I was drawing a lot of kill you dead looks, especially from the booths filled with girls. Ignore them. They're haters, Aphrodite said. It's so weird that Kalona's still messin' with their heads, Stevie Rae said as we filled our plates and kept throwing glances over our shoulders at the mostly silent and sullen room.

It's their choice, too. My mouth blurted before I could stop it. What do ya mean? Stevie Rae asked. I gulped some eggs and said, I mean the kids,--I paused and waved my fork at the rest of the room for emphasis--the ones who are giving us the stank eye and being so insanely horrid, are choosing to be that way. Yeah, Kalona started it, but they're choosing their own paths. Stevie Rae's voice was soft with understanding, but no less insistent. That could be true, Z, but you have to remember it's happened because of Kalona--well, him along with Neferet. What's true is that Kalona is bad shit, and Zoey has to deal with him once and for all, Aphrodite said. My eggs suddenly looked less tasty. We were all squished around the booth, eating and trying to pretend like people weren't killing us with their eyes, when Stark joined us. He looked tired, and when his gaze met mine, I recognized the sadness in his eyes. I'd seen it mirrored in Kalona's eyes as he spoke of Nyx.

Stark believes he's failed me. I smiled at him, wanting to wipe the worry from his face. Hi, I said softly. Hi, he said. Then we realized our table, as well as the entire room, was watching and listening to us. Stark cleared his throat, pulled up a chair, lowered his voice, and said, Darius and Lenobia are already at the airport. I'm driving you guys in the Hummer. He glanced around, and I saw some of the tightness in his face relax. So, I'm guessing you sent Heath home? To get his passport, Stevie Rae proclaimed. That, of course, caused a mini-uproar at our table. I sighed and waited for the storm to subside. When everyone finally shut up, I said, Yes, Heath's coming with us.

The end. Aphrodite raised one blond brow. Well, I suppose it does make sense to bring the bloodmobile with you. Even Arrow Boy over there with the mean face has to agree with that. I said the end' because I'm not going to talk about it. And don't call Heath a bloodmobile. It's really not polite, Stevie Rae said. Bite me, Aphrodite said, clearly without thinking, because the Twins automatically started to giggle. Stevie Rae isn't going with us, I broke into the Twins' hilarity. So that means when we circle, Aphrodite will be representing spirit. That shut the Twins up. Everyone stared at Stevie Rae. They might not be able to be saved, Damien said solemnly. I know, but I'm going to give it another try. Hey, do me a favor, will ya? Aphrodite said.

Would you please not get killed? Again. I'm sure that would be annoyingly uncomfortable for me. I am not gettin' killed, Stevie Rae said. Promise you won't go back there alone, Jack said. That's a promise you need to make, Stark agreed. I didn't say anything. I was no longer so cocky about knowing the only right way to do things. Fortunately, my silence wasn't noticed because just then the red fledglings made their entrance, and the entire cafeteria went from gawking at us, to gawking and whispering at them. Better make sure they're fine, Stevie Rae said. She stood up and then smiled at us. Y'all hurry and get stuff straight over there, so you can come back home over here. She hugged me, whispering, You'll do the right thing. You will, too, I whispered back. Then she moved away from me and I watched her take charge of the red fledglings (who waved at us as they got into line).

Stevie Rae was so normal acting, talking to her kids like they hadn't just stepped into the cafeteria for the first time since each of them had died, that her group instantly started to relax, ignoring the stares and whispers. She's a good leader, I said, thinking out loud. I hope that doesn't get her into trouble, Aphrodite said. I looked from Stevie Rae to her and she shrugged. Some people--especially evil, undead-dead people--can't be led. She'll do the right thing. I repeated Stevie Rae's words. Yeah, but will they? Aphrodite said. I didn't have a comeback for that, so I picked at my eggs instead. Are you guys about ready? Stark finally said. I am, I said. Everyone else nodded, and we grabbed our bags and headed to the door. Stark and I brought up the rear. Hey, Zoey. Erik's voice stopped me. Stark stayed with me, his eyes sharp on my ex-boyfriend. Hi, Erik, I said guardedly. Good luck, he said. Thanks. I was pleasantly surprised at his neutral expression and lack of Venus suckerfished to his side. Are you staying at the school and teaching drama again? Yeah, but just until they get a new professor. So if I'm not here when you get back, I just wanted you to know, that, um--he looked from Stark to me, and then finished with--that I said good luck. Oh, okay.