Betrayed

them up. Actually, everyone in the room, including Detective Marx, was looking at me like they wondered if I'd per­ haps hit my head sometime during my adventures and some of my brains had leaked out.

'It's important,' I said, and grinned at Neferet as if I were hiding a present just for her under the back of my shirt.

'Zoey, I'm not sure what—' Neferet began, her tone carefully pitched between worry and embarrassment.

I gave an exaggerated sigh. 'Jeesh, just look.' And before any­one could stop me, I turned so that my back was facing them, and lifted the bottom of my sweatshirt (being careful to keep the front of me covered).

I hadn't really been worried that I might be wrong, but the gasps and exclamations of awe and happy surprise from my friends were a relief to hear.

'Z! Your Mark has spread.' Erik laughed and tentatively touched the newly tattooed skin of my back.

'Wow, it's awesome,' Shaunee breathed.

'Totally cool,' Erin said.

'Spectacular,' Damien said. 'It's the same labyrinth pattern as your other Marks.'

'Yeah, with the rune symbols spaced between the spirals,' Erik said.

I think I was the only one who noticed that Neferet said noth­ing at all.

I smoothed the bottom of my shirt back down. I was seriously looking forward to getting to a mirror so that I could see what I'd only been able to feel.

'Congratulations, Zoey. I imagine this means that you con­tinue to be special to your Goddess,' Detective Marx said.

I smiled at him. 'Thanks. Thanks for everything tonight.'

Our eyes met and he winked. Then he turned to Neferet. 'I'd better be going, ma'am. There's a lot of work left to be done to­night. Plus, I imagine Zoey is eager to get to bed. Good night, everyone.' He touched his hat, smiled at me again, and left.

'I am really tired.' I looked at Neferet. 'If it's okay, I'd like to go to bed.'

'Yes, darling,' she said smoothly. 'That would be just fine.'

'And also I'd like to stop by Nyx's Temple on the way to the dorm, if that's okay with you,' I said.

'You do have quite a bit for which you should thank Nyx. Stopping by her temple is a good idea.'

'We'll go with you, Z,' Shaunee said.

'Yeah, Nyx was with all of us tonight,' Erin said.

Damien and Erik made sounds of agreement, but I didn't look at any of my friends. I kept eye contact with Neferet and said, 'I will thank Nyx, but there's really another reason I'm going to her temple.' I didn't wait for her to question me, but continued earnestly, 'I'm going to light an earth candle for Stevie Rae. I promised her I wouldn't forget her.'

My friends were murmuring soft words of agreement, but I kept my attention focused on Neferet as I slowly and deliberately walked over to her.

'Good night, Neferet,' I said and this time I hugged her, and as I pulled her close to me I whispered, 'Humans and fledglings and vampyres don't need to believe me about you because Nyx does. This is not over between us.'

I stepped out of Neferet's arms and turned my back on her. To­gether, my friends and I went outside and crossed the short dis­tance to Nyx's Temple. It had finally stopped snowing, and the moon was peeking between wisps of clouds that looked like silken scarves. I stopped at the beautiful marble statue of the Goddess that stood before her temple.

'Here,' I said firmly.

'Z?' Erik said questioningly.

'I want to put Stevie Rae's candle out here, at Nyx's feet.'

'I'll get it for you,' Erik said. He squeezed my hand and then hurried into Nyx's Temple.

'You're right,' Shaunee said.

'Yeah, Stevie Rae would like it lit out here,' Erin said.

'It's closer to the earth,' Damien said.

'And so it's closer to Stevie Rae,' I said softly.

Erik returned and handed me the green votive and a long, rit­ualistic lighter. Following my instincts, I lit the candle and placed it snugly at Nyx's feet.

'I'm remembering you, Stevie Rae. Just like I promised,' I said.

'So am I,' said Damien.

'Me, too,' said Shaunee.

'Ditto,' said Erin.

'I'm remembering, too,' said Erik.

The scent of a grassy meadow suddenly swirled around Nyx's statue, making my friends smile through their tears. Before we walked away I closed my eyes and whispered a prayer that was a promise I felt deep in my soul.

I'll go back for you, Stevie Rae.