Revealed

I figured I’d just take a chance that you actually would believe me because I think High Priestesses just know things. If that’s true, then you’ll know you can believe me.”

“Consult your Prophetesses,” Kalona said.

“Hey, I got nothing. No vision. No woo-woo feeling either way. Nadda,” Aphrodite said. “Ask Shaylin.”

Stevie Rae looked at her other Prophetess. “What do ya see?”

“Her colors are pretty. She’s not red at all anymore. She’s pink, like a flower. She’s not hiding anything except that she’s way more nervous than she seems.” Shaylin paused and smiled at Nicole. “Sorry about that last part, but I have to tell Stevie Rae the truth.”

Nicole’s mouth was pressed in a straight line. She nodded, and then spoke quickly, “I understand. And you’re right. I am nervous.”

“Where’s Dallas?” Stevie Rae asked her.

“Last time I saw him I was on my way to my room. He said he was going to the guys’ dorm for a Resident Evil marathon in his room. I told him I couldn’t make it. I’d had enough blood and death for a while,” she said.

“So, you’re not going to hook up with him again?” Aphrodite asked her.

Nicole faced her. “I don’t want anything to do with him.”

“Because you’re still pissed he cheated on you with Erin?” Aphrodite prodded.

“Because I don’t want to be with someone who is mean. Dallas is mean,” she said.

“She’s telling the truth,” Shaylin said.

“You have a responsibility to give her a chance,” Kalona said.

At first I thought it was a strange thing for him to say, but then I really thought about it. If anyone would know about second chances, it was Kalona.

“I think he’s right,” I said. “You are the only red High Priestess she has, and if she’s swearing allegiance to you, then you have to accept her and give her a chance to prove that her oath is actually worth something.”

“Is that what you’re doin’? Swearing your allegiance to me?”

“Yes.”

“Well, then, I’ll give you a chance,” Stevie Rae said.

I watched a flush of color come over Nicole’s face, and she blinked her eyes real hard, like she might cry. Stevie Rae obviously noticed, too, because when she spoke to Nicole again, her voice had softened. “I have to be sure Shaunee’s okay, so I’m going to have Shaylin take you to the rest of the kids.”

“In the dorm?” Nicole asked.

“No, my red fledglings are curled up in the basement,” Stevie Rae said.

“A basement? Really?” Nicole smiled. “That’s awesome!”

I felt my lingering leeriness about Nicole relax. She honestly looked like she didn’t have a clue about the basement.

“Shaylin, are you okay with takin’ her down there and helpin’ her settle in?” Stevie Rae asked.

“Absolutely! I’m staying down there anyway. Come on, Nicole, let’s go catch the rest of Django Unchained. It’s blood and guts, too, but at least there’s a happily ever after.”

Before Nicole walked away, smiling, with Shaylin, she fisted her hand over her heart and bowed to Stevie Rae again. “Thank you, High Priestess.”

Stevie Rae inclined her head gracefully in response and, sounding exactly like a full-grown, awesome High Priestess, said, “Blessed be, Nicole.” 

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Shaunee

“You don’t need to stay,” Shaunee said to Thanatos. She didn’t look at the High Priestess. She kept her attention focused on the burning pyre. “I’ll keep vigil. I think I should, plus it’s something I really want to do.”

“You were a good friend to her,” Thanatos said.

“I hope I was. I tried to be, but things got real messed up and nothing’s turned out like I expected it to.”

“Daughter, that’s life: messy, confusing, heartbreaking, but wonderful. All any of us can do is to try to be our best, and to learn from our mistakes, as well as our victories.”

“Well, right now my best is to stay here, with Erin, and watch over her until dawn.”

“It is an ancient tradition that those who most loved the dead remained by their beloved’s pyre from its first flame until after the first flame of dawn. I shall leave you to your vigil, wishing you to blessed be, Shaunee.”

Shaunee fisted her hand over her heart and bowed to Thanatos respectfully before turning back to watch the pyre blaze.

“You don’t need to stay, either,” Shaunee spoke to the immortal she knew was watching from the shadows. “Stevie Rae and Zoey will need you. I’ll be fine.”

“I did not like how Dallas looked tonight. He wants retribution for this death, which is impossible,” Kalona said.

“He looked sad when he lit the pyre. Maybe that’s all it is—she was his girlfriend,” Shaunee said, wanting to believe it.

“If he had truly loved her, he would be keeping vigil as are you.” Kalona said what Shaunee hadn’t wanted to think about.

“Everyone grieves differently,” she said.

“I recognize his way of grieving, and know it will turn to anger. He will lash out, trying to erase his pain with violence and vengeance.”

“Is that what you did?” Shaunee looked from the pyre to Kalona. The winged immortal’s beauty was almost as bright as the flames, though his brilliance held an Otherwordly silver light.

“Yes,” he admitted slowly. “Yes, that is what I did. That is why I recognize it in Dallas. That is also why I understand how dangerous he could become.”

“Here’s what I don’t understand,” Shaunee said. “How can losing love make you want to destroy people? When Erin and I weren’t Twins anymore I was sad and lonely. But I didn’t think about doing anything mean to her, or to Dallas, even though I didn’t think he was good enough for her.” When the immortal didn’t answer, Shaunee turned to face him, though she kept one hand raised, pointed palm forward, at the pyre, controlling her element and allowing its familiar heat to soothe the sadness within her.

“I believe your question can be answered only by each individual.”

“So, you’re not going to answer me?”

Kalona hesitated, and Shaunee could see several emotions crossing his handsome face: sadness, doubt, and even annoyance. His wings lifted restlessly, but finally he did answer her. “When I lost Nyx the only way I could bear it was to replace all the love I’d felt for her with anger. As long as I burned with anger I made myself believe loving the Goddess had been a lie.” Kalona met Shaunee’s gaze, and she thought she could see eons of misery in his amber eyes. “Maintaining that anger came with a price, and that price was violence and destruction, death and darkness.”

“But wouldn’t it have made more sense if you’d just gone to Nyx and admitted you didn’t want to live without her?”

Kalona’s smile was infinitely sad. “My pride kept me from seeing any way back to her.”

“Does it still?”

“No. It is Nyx herself who keeps me from her side now,” Kalona said.

“I don’t think she always will,” Shaunee said.

“You are young,” he said. “You haven’t lived long enough for life to kill your ability to hope.”

“Well, I don’t know Nyx as well as you do, but I absolutely believe that she’s a just, forgiving goddess. She’s proven that time after time. I’ve seen it, and I’m only eighteen.” Shaunee paused. “Maybe it’s not about how long you’ve lived, or having the ability to hope, even when things seem hopeless. Maybe it’s just about how much faith you have.”