“Kacie, what did water show you?” Stevie Rae prompted, touching her shoulder gently.
“Well, water gave me a super strong feeling about the fog. I can tell you for sure that what happened this morning was not natural. Water was told to create fog—actually, it wasn’t just told. It’s more like it was forced to make the city foggy, and especially Woodward Park. It felt like that first spell we all learn as new fledglings—the conceal spell. Only this one was on steroids.”
“Kacie, do you have any idea about who or what cast this spell?” asked Stevie Rae.
“Yep. It was a vampyre. Absolutely zero doubt about it. I don’t know who. I couldn’t see anything. I could only feel, and then I started to get sick and I lost the connection. But I promise you it was a powerful vampyre and this morning she was in Woodward Park and totally did not want to be seen.”
“She?” My stomach clenched. “And she was strong—like a priestess?”
Stark had just returned from taking the screenshot to our computer kids, so Kacie hesitated before responding and when she did, she sounded as frustrated as I felt. “No. I can’t tell for sure. I’m really sorry. There were just too many sensations, and water filled everything, so concentrating was crazy. Also, I literally couldn’t see whoever cast the spell. It was so strong that not even my element let me see.”
I chewed the inside of my cheek. “That’s okay. You don’t have anything to apologize for. Because of you we know the fog was part of a spell cast by a powerful vampyre who doesn’t want to be seen. That’s important.”
“Yeah, but now what do we do with that information?” asked Aphrodite.
“First, we stop worrying about humans who, for whatever bizarre reason, like to dress up like its Halloween and light candles for Neferet,” I said. “As annoying as that is, it isn’t dangerous.”
“On the flip side, a powerful vampyre who could be in league with Neferet is dangerous,” said Stark as he took a seat across the table from us.
“Let’s not go there automatically,” I said. “We need to remember that our new way of doing things—mixing fledglings with human students and opening our campuses to humans in general—has not been well received anywhere else in the world. The Vampyre High Council doesn’t have power over us anymore. We know that’s pissed them off.”
Damien nodded in agreement. “So, it could just be one of the European High Council Members spying on us—and they started by checking out Neferet’s prison.”
“It makes sense that they would want to see for themselves that we have it handled,” Stark agreed.
“Those fossils have always underestimated us because we’re young. Except for Thanatos, that is.” Aphrodite glanced up at the ceiling and waved her hand about as if Nyx’s realm was above us somewhere (which, I suppose it might actually be), and said, “May she be having lots of fun frolicking in Nyx’s Grove or whatever.”
“So, really, what we need to be concerned about right now is keeping vampyres away from Neferet’s tomb,” I said.
Kacie started to raise her hand, then she frowned at it like it had somehow betrayed her, put it back in her lap, and cleared her throat.
“You don’t have to raise your hand to speak,” I said gently. “You’re a fully Changed vampyre now and no longer a fledgling.”
Kacie let out a relieved sigh. “Good. I have an idea.”
“Let’s hear it, Ice Cream Shoes,” Aphrodite said.
“If the issue is a nosy vampyre, why don’t you just put a spell around the grotto that keeps vamps out? That way if it is some busybody from the old High Council, she’ll have to come here and check in with our High Priestess—like she’s supposed to—if she wants answers. And if it’s just a creeper vamp, someone stupid enough to think breaking Neferet out of there is a good idea, it’ll keep that moron from doing anything annoying.”
We all stared at Kacie. “How old are you?” I asked.
“Sixteen—and a half.”
“I knew she was smart as well as a smart-ass,” said Aphrodite.
“She was my fledgling,” Stevie Rae reminded us smugly.
“That’s a really good idea,” I said. “A spell to ward off vampyres is way easier than a protective spell.”
Stark met my gaze, looking worried. “And you don’t have to tie yourself to it like Thanatos did to her protective spell?”
I shook my head. “Nope. Well, not if I have my circle to help me, with a special boost from earth.” I elbowed my bestie.
Stevie Rae grinned. “Earth always has your back, Z.”
“This sounds good,” said Aphrodite. “But I’m getting a very strong feeling that we can’t wait for Shaylin and Shaunee to meander here to set the spell in place. On the outside chance it’s something more dangerous—like you know who from you know where, we need that vamp repellent up and working. Now.”
Stevie Rae spoke right up. “Kacie can help. Can’t ya?”
“Well, sure. If you tell me what I need to do,” said the newly Changed red vampyre.
Aphrodite fluttered her fingers at Kacie. “Ice Cream Shoes, do you think you can call water into a circle and boost me if I stand in for Shaunee as fire?”
The girl tucked her long, thick hair behind her ears and shrugged. “I think so, but I’ve never actually done it.”
Stevie Rae squeezed Kacie’s shoulder. “We’ll all be there with you. We’ll help you.”
“The spell isn’t difficult,” I said. “It’s really more about spirit and earth than anything, but I do need a circle to cast it.”
“I’ll try.”
I sat beside her and spoke earnestly. “How are you feeling? Do you think you’re up to calling in water and fire to a circle tonight?”
“Well, yeah. But it’d help if I could have another big glass of blood.” She grimaced, and I had to squelch the urge to laugh. I totally remembered what it was like to be squeed out by blood, even as I was craving it.
“Okay, then. Stevie Rae, would you
