“Maybe it’s as simple as this,” I said. “Neferet broke Batshit out and then was not prepared for the insanity she witnessed. We all know what Batshit is capable of, but your Neferet wasn’t here to experience any of it. And she’s smart. One good look at that amount of crazy would be all it took for me to understand that there is no way in hell that creature was going to help anyone but herself—especially not another version of herself who wanted to figure out how to be more powerful.”
“So, she used Old Magick to skedaddle,” said Kacie. “It does make sense that she might be freaked enough to help raise Kalona, if that also means stopping Batshit. ’Cause, seriously, your Neferet has to have a target painted on her back.”
“Ice Cream Shoes is right,” said Aphrodite. “Batshit does not share power, and we know she’s heading to the Other World. No way is there going to be room for two of her over there.”
James rubbed a hand through his hair. “Aphrodite, you really couldn’t tell from your vision whether Neferet is helping Batshit or fighting her in that final showdown?”
Aphrodite answered, “The only part of the vision I got to see was just before your Neferet’s death. Kalona was hurt but holding off Batshit. Something happened that I couldn’t see, but it freaked Other Neferet the hell out so bad that, even though it seemed Lynette was arguing with her about it, Neferet took off, taking Lynette with her. Batshit went after Lynette and killed her. Then she killed Neferet.”
“And you didn’t see any of us there?” Stark asked.
Aphrodite shrugged and then grimaced and pressed two fingers to her temple. “Yes and no. I couldn’t tell whether we were there or not until Other Neferet was dying, and then I heard what I thought was us being killed. I can’t tell you exactly which of us were there for sure because Other Neferet died too fast.”
“I can tell you who was there,” said Kacie.
“Go ahead,” I said. I was increasingly impressed by her confidence and by her ability to speak up about her intuition. Too many young women silence that part of them. It was refreshing to meet someone who didn’t have that problem.
“Your circle’s there,” Kacie said simply. “That would be Stevie Rae, Damien, me as either air or water, and then Kevin as the last element ’cause, like you, he has an affinity for all five. Oh, and also, I figure Rephaim will be there too, ’cause he has to talk to Kalona, and Darius to protect Aphrodite in case any of us need a second chance.” She took a breath and frowned before continuing. “Not sure if that would help me or not.” Kacie looked across the table at Aphrodite. “Can you give third chances?”
“You better hope so, Ice Cream Shoes. I have a feeling that smart mind of yours and your equally smart mouth are going to get you into trouble.”
Kacie nodded. “That’s what I figure too.”
“Don’t worry,” Damien said with a reassuring smile. “Z’s circle is always really powerful. You’ll be safest if you stick with her.”
I was staring at Damien as puzzle pieces fell into place.
“Holy shit!” I blurted.
Aphrodite and Stevie Rae sat straight up and gawked at me.
“You cussed,” Aphrodite said.
“For reals,” Stevie Rae said.
“I also just figured out how we’re getting to the Other World,” I said. “Thanks to Ice Cream Shoes and Damien.”
“Seriously?” Stark asked. “How?”
“Not Old Magick,” said Kevin.
“Not Old Magick,” I agreed, my voice filled with the excitement that was rushing through my body. “My circle and I are getting there by using our own Goddess-given powers. We’re going to call on the elements and have them open a portal between worlds, and then we’re going to walk right through it.”
“Zoey!” Lenobia clapped victoriously. “You’re absolutely right. With the power your circle wields, it’s logical that will work.”
“You’re welcome,” said Kacie, winking at Damien.
There was a knock on the Council Room door and it cracked, allowing one of the senior fledglings to peek her head inside the room and say, “I’m really sorry to interrupt, but Detective Marx is downstairs. He says he’s ready to begin the search with the Sons of Erebus Warriors.”
I nodded. “Thank you, Astrid. Please tell him we’re ending our Council Meeting right now. Stark, Darius, and I will be down to see him in a moment.”
Darius stood. “With your leave, I will gather the Warriors and bring them to the foyer.”
“You have it,” I said. “But be sure everyone is clear. If you find Batshit, you do not engage with her. We have no immortal help right now. I’m not going to risk our Warriors.”
“Understood.” Darius saluted and left the room.
“Batshit isn’t going to wait long,” Aphrodite said. “I don’t believe the Warriors will find her before she leaves this world.”
“Whether they do or not, we need to get to the Other World fast,” I said. “And raise Other Kalona so that we’re ready and waiting for her.”
“By fast, what do you mean?” Stark asked me.
“I mean as soon as I write the spell that will compel the elements to open the portal. And I’m a pretty fast writer,” I said.
Stark turned in his chair so that he faced me. “This time I believe I need to come with you.”
I smiled and nodded. “Oh, hell yes. We’ll need as many Warriors as we can get over there—especially the kind whose arrows can’t miss.”
“Zoeybird, exactly who all will accompany you on this journey?” Grandma said. “I ask so that I may prepare protection for them, and to call the Great Earth Mother’s blessing down on each of you.”
“Well, unless anyone has a problem with it—I say Kacie’s list sounds good to me.”
Around the table everyone nodded, except Lenobia. I met her gaze and said formally, “Do you have a different idea, Professor Lenobia? You cannot
