Betrayed

forearm. I shivered and forced my eyes and my thoughts from the evidence that what I'd witnessed had definitely not been a figment of my imagination.

Good thing, too, because Neferet had turned her attention to me.

'Zoey, I believe this is the perfect time to announce your blue­print for the new Dark Daughters and Sons.' I opened my mouth to start explaining what I had in mind (even though I hadn't planned on announcing the changes I wanted to make until after I'd cast the ritualistic circle and given the 'old' membership some tangible proof that I actually had been gifted by Nyx), but no one paid any attention to me. Everyone's attention was riveted on Neferet as she strode out into the room and stood not far from Shaunee so that my friend's manifestation of fire lit up the High Priestess like a spotlight made of flame. In the same powerful, al­luring voice she used during rituals, Neferet spoke. Only this time she was using my words—my ideas.

'It is time the Dark Daughters had a foundation. It has been decided that Zoey Redbird will begin an era and a new tradition with her leadership. She will form a Prefect Council, made up of seven fledglings, of which she will be Head Prefect. The other members of the Council will be Shaunee Cole, Erin Bates, Stevie Rae Johnson, Damien Maslin, and Erik Night. There will be one more Prefect chosen from Aphrodite's old Inner Circle to repre­sent my wish for unity among the fledglings.'

Her wish? I ground my teeth together and tried to find my happy place while Neferet paused to let the general sounds of cel­ebration die (which included the Twins, Stevie Rae, Damien, Erik, and Jack, cheering their brains out). Jeesh. She was making it seem like she was responsible for ideas I'd sweated over for weeks!

'The Prefect Council will be responsible for the workings of the new Dark Daughters and Sons, which includes being certain that from this day forth all members exemplify the following ideas: they should be authentic for air; they should be faithful for fire; they should be wise for water; they should be empathetic for earth; and they should be sincere for spirit. If a Dark Daughter or Son fails to uphold these new ideals, it will be the job of the Pre­fect Council to decide upon a penalty, which could include ex­pulsion from the group.' She paused again, and I observed how serious and attentive everyone was, which was the exact reaction I had hoped for when I made this announcement during the ac­tual Full Moon Ritual. 'I have also decided that it would behoove our fledglings to become more involved with the surrounding community. After all, ignorance breeds fear and hatred. So I want the Dark Daughters and Sons to begin working with a local char­ity. After much consideration I decided that the perfect organiza­tion would be Street Cats, the rescue charity for homeless cats.'

There was good-humored laughter at this, which was the reac­tion Neferet had had when I'd told her my decision to have the Dark Daughters involved in that particular charity. I could not believe Neferet was taking credit for everything that I had told her that night at dinner.

'I will leave you now. This is Zoey's ritual, and I am simply here to show my heartfelt support for my talented fledgling.' She gave me a kind smile, which I made myself return. 'But first I have a gift for the new Prefect Council.' She clapped her hands together and five male vampyres I'd never seen before emerged from the shadows of the entryway. They were each carrying what looked like thick, rectangular tiles that must have been about a foot square and a couple of inches thick. They placed them at the floor by her feet and they disappeared back out the door. I stared at the things. They were a creamy color and looked like they might be wet. I had no clue what they were. Neferet's laughter bubbled around us, making me grind my teeth together. Did no one else think she sounded totally patronizing?

'Zoey, I'm shocked you don't recognize your own idea!'

'I—no. I don't know what they are,' I said.

'They're squares of wet cement. I remembered that you told me you wanted each of the members of the Prefect Council to have an imprint of his or her handprints made so that the fledg­ling's handprint will be preserved forever. Tonight six of the seven members of the new Council can do that.'

I blinked at her. Great. She was finally giving me credit for something, and it was Damien's idea. 'Thank you for the pres­ent,' I said, and then added quickly, 'And it was Damien's idea to make handprints, not mine.'

Her smile was blinding, and when she turned it on Damien I didn't have to look at him to know that he practically wriggled with pleasure. 'And what a lovely idea it was, too, Damien.' Then she addressed the entire room again. 'I am pleased that Nyx has gifted this group so fully. And I say blessed be to all of you, good night!' She dropped to the floor in a graceful curtsy. Then, to the cheers of the fledglings, she rose and made a skirt-flowing, mag­nificent exit.

Which left me standing in the middle of an un-cast circle feel­ing like I was all dressed up with nowhere to go.

CHAPTER 21

It took forever to get everyone settled down and in place for the ritual to begin, especially because I couldn't show how I was re­ally feeling—which was pissed. Not only would no one under­stand, but also no one would believe what I was beginning to see: that there was something dark and wrong about Neferet. And why should anyone understand or believe me? I was, after all, just a kid. No matter what powers Nyx had given me I was totally not in the same league with a High Priestess. Besides that, no one ex­cept me had witnessed the little puzzle pieces that were fitting to­gether to create such a terrible picture.

Aphrodite would understand and believe me. I hated that the thought was true.

'Zoey, just let me know whenever you're ready and I'll start the music,' Jack called from the back corner of the rec hall where all the audio equipment was kept. Apparently the new kid was a ge­nius with electronics, so I'd instantly drafted him to run the mu­sic for the ritual.

'Okay, just a sec. How about I nod at you when I'm ready?'

'Fine with me!' he said with a grin.

I backed up a few feet, realizing that, ironically, I was now standing almost exactly where Neferet had stood not long before. I tried to clear my mind of all the confusion and negatives that were swirling in it. My eyes traveled around the circle. There was a fairly large group of kids present—actually more than I had ex­pected to show. They had quieted down, though there was still a general air of excitement in the room. The white candles in their tall glass containers illuminated the circle in a clean, bright light. I could see my four friends standing in their positions, waiting expectantly for me to begin the ritual. I focused on them and the wonderful gifts they had been given, and got ready to nod at Jack.

'I thought I'd volunteer my services to you.'

Loren's deep voice had me jumping and making an unattrac­tive little squeaking noise. He was standing behind me in the en­tranceway.

'Crap, Loren! You scared me so bad I almost peed on myself!' I blurted before I had time to control my dorky mouth. But I was telling the truth, Loren had me clutching my pearls in a total freak-out.

Apparently he didn't mind my inability to control my mouth. He gave me a long, slow, sexy smile. 'I thought you knew I was here.'

'No. I was a little distracted.'

'Stressed, I bet.' He touched my arm in a gesture that prob­ably looked innocent. You know, friendly and professorially sup­portive. But felt like a caress, a really warm caress. His widening smile made me wonder about his vamp intuitiveness. If he could read any part of my mind I would just die. 'Well, I'm here to help you with that stress.'

Was he kidding? Just the sight of him made me lose my mind. Stress free around Loren Blake? Not hardly.

'Really? How are you going to do that?' I asked with just a hint of a flirty smile, very aware that the entire room was watching us and that the entire room included my boyfriend.

'I'll do for you what I do for Neferet.'

The silence stretched between us as my mind wallowed around in the gutter wondering just exactly what he did for Neferet. Thankfully, he didn't let me wallow too long.

'Every High Priestess has a poet who recites ancient verse to evoke the presence of the Muse as she enters into her rituals. To­day, I'm offering to recite for a very special High Priestess in training. Plus I believe there are