“Aye, so it would seem,” Seoras said.
In his imagination, Stark could almost hear Zoey’s
Chapter 21
She knew she’d catch a bunch of crap when she got back to school, but Stevie Rae didn’t expect Lenobia herself to be waiting in the parking lot for her.
“Look, I just needed some time by myself. As you can see, I’m fine and—”
“On the evening news there was a bulletin about a gang break-in at the Tribune Loft apartments. Four people were killed. Their throats were cut out, and they were partially drained of blood. The only reason the police are not on our doorstep accusing us is the report from several witnesses who all swear it was a gang of human teenagers. with Red eyes.”
Stevie Rae swallowed down the sick taste of bile in the back of her throat. “It was the red fledglings I left at the depot. They messed with the witnesses’ memories, but none of them are Changed, so they don’t have the ability to cover up everything.”
“They couldn’t wipe those blazing red eyes from the humans’ memories,” Lenobia said, nodding in agreement.
Stevie Rae was out of the car and moving toward the school. “Dragon hasn’t gone after them, has he?”
“No. I’ve kept him busy with small groups of fledglings. He’s already started going over self-defense skills with them in case of another attack from Raven Mockers.”
“Lenobia, I seriously think that one in the park was a fluke. I’ll bet he’s miles away from Tulsa by now.”
Lenobia made a dismissive gesture. “One Raven Mocker is one too many, but whether he’s alone or with a flock, Dragon will hunt him down and destroy him. And unless Kalona and Neferet are goading them, I don’t think we need to worry about them attacking the school. I’m much more concerned about the rogue red fledglings.”
“Me, too.” Stevie Rae was eager to change the subject. “The news report said the people had only been partially drained of their blood?”
Lenobia nodded. “Yes, and their throats were ripped out—not cut or bitten and then bled as you or I would feed.”
“They aren’t feeding. They’re playing. They like terrorizing people; it’s a kind of high for them.”
“That’s truly an abomination of Nyx’s ways.” Lenobia’s words came fast; her voice filled with anger. “Those from whom we feed should only feel our mutual pleasure. That is why the Goddess gave us the ability to share such a powerful sensation with humans. We don’t brutalize and torture them. We appreciate them—we make them our consorts. The High Council has even banished vampyres who misuse their power over humans.”
“You haven’t told the High Council about the red fledglings, have you?”
“I wouldn’t do that without discussing it with you first. You are their High Priestess. But you must understand that their actions have taken them beyond where they can be ignored by the rest of us.”
“I know, but I still want to deal with them myself.”
“Not alone again. Not this time,” Lenobia said.
“You’re right about that. What they did today shows me how dangerous they are.”
“Should I call Dragon in on this?”
“No. I’m not goin’ alone, and I do plan on givin’ them an ultimatum—shape up or ship out—but if I take outsiders down there, I won’t have a chance of any of them deciding to give up Darkness and come with me.” Then Stevie Rae realized what she’d said and stopped like she’d run into the side of a barn. “Ohmygood
“I’m afraid there’s been no doubt about that for a long time,” Lenobia said.
“But how the heck did Neferet find out about Darkness? For centuries and centuries, vampyres worshipped Nyx.”
“Just because people stop worshipping, doesn’t mean the deity stops existing. The forces of good and evil move in a timeless dance, regardless of mortal whim or fashion.”
“But Nyx is
“Nyx is
Stevie Rae sighed. “I guess when you put it like that, I gotta agree with you, but I wish there wasn’t more than one choice for evil.”
“Then there would be only one choice for good. Remember, there must always, eternally, be balance.” They walked in silence for a while before Lenobia said, “You’ll take the red fledglings with you to confront the rogues?”
“Yep.”
“When?”
“The sooner the better.”
“There is only a little over three hours left until dawn,” Lenobia said.
“Well, I’m askin’ them a simple yes-or-no question. That’s not gonna take much time.”
“And if they say no?”
“If they say no, I’ll make sure they can’t use the depot tunnels as their cushy hideout anymore, and I’ll make sure they’re separated. As individuals, I still don’t believe they’re all bad.” Stevie Rae hesitated, and then added, “I don’t want to kill them. I feel like if I do, I’ll be giving in to evil. And I don’t want that Darkness to touch me, ever again.” An image of Rephaim, wings spread, fully healed and powerful, flashed through her memory.
Lenobia nodded. “I understand. I don’t agree with you, Stevie Rae, but I do understand. Your plan has merit, though. If you shake them from their stronghold and force them to scatter, those who are left will have to worry about surviving and won’t have time to ‘play’ with humans.”
“Okay, so let’s split up and spread the word that I need all the red fledglings to meet me at the Hummer in the parking lot—now. I’ll take the dorms.”
“I’ll go to the Field House and the cafeteria. Actually, on my way to meet you, I saw Kramisha going into the cafeteria. I’ll get to her first. She always knows where everyone is.”
Stevie Rae nodded, and Lenobia jogged away, leaving her alone and heading toward the dorms. Alone and able to think. She should be thinking about what the heck she was gonna say to the stupid Nicole and her group of killer fledglings. But she couldn’t get Rephaim out of her mind.
Driving away from him had been one of the hardest things she’d ever done in her life.
So why had she?
“Because he’s well again,” she said aloud, and then closed her mouth and looked
