Once again you surprise me, my heartless one. I am also intrigued. Mount me. I shall, indeed, agree to your payment and take you through the veil to the Other World as you wish.
Neferet pulsed with victory. The White Bull knelt and offered her his knee so that she could mount him. She leaned forward, pressing her body against his and murmured, “Take us to the Tulsa depot in that world. The sprites tell me it is there we shall find the beginnings of our army.”
His laughter shook the tiled roof of the villa. Sly, heartless one. It was wise of you to summon the sprites. They have long been isolated and ignored.
“When we reign, they shall be set free. Come, children! It is time to depart this world—but only temporarily.” She motioned, and the tendrils of Darkness flowed up the flanks of the bull to wrap themselves around her and hang from his massive body.
Then the bull leaped up and into the moonless night sky, and Neferet was engulfed in darkness so thick that she could not breathe, but she did not panic. She held tighter to the frigid coat of the bull, wrapping her spidery arms around his massive neck as she reminded herself, We are Goddess … We are Goddess … We are Goddess … Until finally, the darkness gave way to the cold light of streetlamps, and the bull stopped beside the railroad tracks on the lower level of Tulsa’s depot.
Neferet slid off his back and gazed around her, wrinkling her nose in disgust.
“It is as the sprite said. This depot is in disrepair.”
I am quite sure you will set it to right quickly. As he spoke he nuzzled her, leaving a slug trail of wet on her bare shoulder as he licked off the blood his caress had earlier caused.
She laughed and stepped smoothly away from him. “Oh, my lord. You mistake us. We care not how our army is housed. We only care that they are loyal and effective.”
I look forward to observing your future but know that what you plan will shift the balance of Light and Darkness, so unless the Black Bull of Light deigns to leave his lofty perch and become involved, I cannot aid you.
His words relieved her. She did not want the meddling bull appearing and acting as her savior. Right now, she only owed him amusement, and that was the last payment she ever intended to owe him. A goddess should be beholden to no one.
She curtsied deeply to him. “We understand, my lord. And we thank you for carrying us across the veil.”
And how do you intend to return when your quest for dominance here is complete?
She shrugged. “That will depend on whether we amuse you or not, won’t it?”
He chuckled. Indeed. Before I depart I have a gift for you. The enormous bull lowered his head and struck one of his horns against the iron rail that used to be part of a thriving railroad track but was now in the same disrepair as the depot building. The rail shattered with a deafening clang. He blew on it, turning it blue and then white with cold, and then it splintered, leaving a long iron spear double-tipped with curved, pointed blades that were the slick, death-like white of the bull’s horns. For you, my heartless one. A weapon with two blades to symbolize the two worlds you intend to rule.
Neferet bent and lifted the weapon. It was icy to touch, but surprisingly light and perfectly balanced. Then she curtsied low again to the bull. “My lord! You honor us with such a gift. Thank you.”
Do not thank me, my heartless one. Amuse me …
When she rose from her curtsy, the bull was gone. Her smile was fierce and feral. She twirled the spear, admiring how the streetlight glinted off the deadly tips. “Oh, children, we are very pleased with this. Imagine how delightful it will be to skewer the impostor.”
Her children wriggled around her, reflecting her pleasure.
“But first, let us begin to gather our army. Once Tulsa is ours, we will expand from here and we shall order our soldiers to scour the world for that lesser one than us and our Lynette. One thing at a time, children. One thing and then the next.”
As she spoke to her children, Neferet moved to a rusted steel grate that was the exact duplicate of the one that had been used to guard the basement of the depot in her world before it had been renovated by Zoey Redbird and the traitors who followed her. She struck her new weapon against it and was delighted when the rusty iron shattered. The tendrils of Darkness descended into the basement before her, sweeping aside what remained of the grate. Neferet followed, frowning with distaste at the rubble and filth that littered the basement. She was quite certain she smelled feces and vomit.
“This will not do. Not at all,” she muttered, and her children mirrored her annoyance by slithering restlessly around her feet. “No matter, children,” Neferet said. “It is only temporary. Soon we shall rest comfortably in our suite at the House of Night. We do so hope the impostor has adequate taste.” She shook herself. “Be ready, my dears. And show yourselves. The vampyres here understand one thing—power.”
Neferet took position in the middle of the basement. She lifted the double-pointed spear and brought one end of it down, hard, on the broken cement floor. It collided with a thunderous clang that would’ve deafened a lesser being.
She raised the lance again—and again struck the floor with it. She repeated the action a third time and as she did she called, “Vampyres, come to us!” Then Neferet waited.
It wasn’t long before they poured up from the hole in the far end of the basement that led to the extensive tunnel system below. They had weapons drawn and looked ready for a fight. The soldiers were led by a tall, thin vampyre who was completely familiar to Neferet.
“Ah, Dallas, we are pleased that our information was correct, and you and your soldiers are here.”
His eyes went huge as he staggered to a halt several yards from her. Behind him was a group of mean-looking soldiers—all with blue Marks. They milled together by the tunnel entrance, staring at her.
“Neferet?”
“Yes and no.”
“What are you?”
“I am of another world. I am your goddess. And we have much to do.”
“I—I don’t understand,” he paused and then added, “Goddess.”
“Oh, we think you do, General Dallas.” She watched his expression change at the title. “How would you and your soldiers like to fight for us—a Goddess of Darkness—who will rule two worlds and subjugate all who stand against us? We know you have had a small taste of power—and then that taste was stolen from you and you have been denied more—relegated to this pathetic cleanup detail to ready these tunnels for vampyres too weak to live. We are offering you more—an entire feast of power and the freedom to partake of it as much as you desire.”
Dallas’s smile was a baring of teeth. He approached her and dropped to his knees. “Goddess, I would like that very much.”
“Excellent. Now, let us talk weapons, and we do not mean archaic swords and knives. We mean modern weapons of war our less powerful but progressive namesake stashed in the basement of the House of Night.”
Dallas’s face lit. “Finally! A goddess willing to do what it takes to win!” He bowed deeply to her and then continued. “They’re still in the basement. Neferet didn’t get a chance to use them before she was run out of town.”
She skittered closer and was impressed when her new general didn’t flinch back. Her long fingers reached out and stroked his cheek. His bright, mean eyes met hers and the immortal easily read his soul. This one desires accolades and power more than sex or even blood. His need for violence is his addiction. “Tell me, General Dallas, could you and your soldiers reach the basement undetected to coordinate an attack with us?”
He shivered with pleasure. “Yes, Goddess. But what will we be attacking?”
“The House of Night, of course. And from there, first one world and then the next.”
“I will do as you command, my powerful Goddess of Darkness.” Dallas bowed deeply to her and all of the vampyres behind him dropped to their knees as well. Neferet was pleased t
o note a female fledgling or two with the soldiers. Excellent. It is past time I raised my own brand of Dark Priestesses …
“Now, listen closely, we have no time to waste. The faster we take the House of Night—the sooner the world will be ours. Here is what we command you do …”
30
Other Kevin
Anastasia lifted her hand, and the Council Room went silent. “So, our consensus is we are going to have to find this world’s Neferet so that we can fulfill the prophetic poem and raise Kalona?”
Zoey nodded. “Sadly, I really do think so. I mean, we’ve been going around and around about it for a couple hours now, and no one has come up with any viable alternatives to this Neferet. No one else fits the line.”
Grandma Redbird added, “I have to agree as well. ‘By the blood of she who is neither foe nor friend he is free,’ is quite specific. From what Zoey and our friends from the Other World have described, it seems that our Neferet is in as much danger as we are—and because of that she might ally herself with our cause. If only temporarily.”
“It makes sense,” said James. He’d surprised everyone when he’d announced at the beginning of the Council Meeting several hours before that they should call him by his first name—and not just while Stark was visiting from the Other World. Apparently, James had had quite an epiphany over the past couple days—Kevin was impressed with the change already noticeable in him. “Kacie and Aphrodite both felt the residue of her fear, and as those of us from this world know all too well—Neferet is not accustomed to being afraid.”
Sitting beside James, Kacie spoke up. “Yeah, and remember, it wasn’t normal fear. It was terror—a deep, visceral reaction to something—our guess is Batshit.”
“Good point, Ice Cream Shoes,” said Aphrodite. “All of us who came from the Other World saw what Neferet had turned into before we entombed her. Back then she was frightening. Now she has to be doubly awful.”
“The first thing she did was eat an apartment buildin’ full of people,” said Stevie Rae.
“She was a monster when we entombed her.” Damien looked grim. “And teetering on the edge of madness. It’s logical that her captivity pushed her over into insanity. We cannot emphasize too much that she is utterly unpredictable and entirely dangerous. From what we know about her, none of us would find it shocking that she is set on destroying the other version of herself.”
“Yeah,” said Zoey. “There’s no way our Neferet would help yours. Use her, maybe, but it’s more likely that she’d see her as a threat and kill her.”
Anastasia breathed out a long sigh. “Well, one thing we know about our Neferet is that she is far from stupid, and her self-preservation instincts are highly developed. Perhaps she will see the wisdom in allying with us temporarily.”
Dragon snorted. “Whether she does or not, once she is found, she will be brought back here. Nowhere in that prophecy does it say her blood has to be given willingly.”
“It doesn’t even say she has to be alive,” said James darkly.
Grandma Redbird stood. “I know I am only a guest here, and not a vampyre who has lived hundreds of years, but I am compelled to remind all of us that we follow Light, and the Great Earth Mother in her many forms—Nyx, specifically. Aphrodite’s unique Marks and her gift of giving second chances remind us that we all have the ability to grow and change.”
“Thank you, Sylvia,” said Anastasia. “Your reminder is appreciated. James and Kevin, as it is almost dawn and you have already traveled from one world to another today, I would like you to rest and be prepared to take the jet to Scotland tomorrow at dusk. We need you to follow Neferet’s trail and find her—quickly. Is there anyone you’d like to join you on your quest?”
Kacie raised her hand and Anastasia nodded for her to speak.
“I’d like to go with them. I don’t know this world, but I know things, and I think those things could help us track Neferet. Plus, fire and water are good allies.” She turned from Anastasia to Zoey. “That is, if my High Priestess doesn’t mind.”
Zoey smiled at her. “I think it’s a great idea. Kevin and James, remember that Kacie has shown an aptitude as a prophetess, so if she gets a feeling—”
Kevin grinned at his sister. “We pay attention. For sure.”
“Excellent. So, this meeting is adjourned. Stevie Rae, Kacie, Stark—as red vampyres I am aware that you would be more comfortable sleeping below ground, but though I dispatched a large group of our soldiers to begin cleaning and repairing it, our depot is in abysmal condition. Would you prefer rooms in the dormitories or the professors’ quarters? Both have blackout windows and, sadly, after our recent events, there is plenty of room in either. It is entirely up to you.”
Kevin gestured, “Um, Anastasia?”
“Yes, Kevin.”
“I think Aphrodite should stay in my, well, Aphrodite’s suite.” He turned to look at the prophetess from another world who was so much like his lost love. “It’s really your room—just over here.”
“That’s sweet, Kev,” Aphrodite said. “But isn’t that your room now?”
He shrugged. “Kinda, but I haven’t made it my own. And I know my Aphrodite would like it if you were there. Plus, all her clothes are still in the closet.”
Aphrodite sat up straighter. “And her shoes too?”
“Every one of them.”
“Sold!” she said. Then hastily added with a nod to Anastasia, “If the High Priestess doesn’t mind.”
“I think that sounds quite nice,” said Anastasia.
“I’ll bunk in the dorm,” said Kevin. “I like it there anyway.”
“Rephaim and I like the dorm too,” said Stevie Rae, taking her mate’s hand as he nodded.
“The dorm’s all I know,” said Kacie.
“The dorm is always nostalgic to me,” said Damien. “Makes me feel like a fledgling again.”
“Stark and I will take the professors’ quarters near Aphrodite, if that’s okay,” said Z.
“Absolutely,” said Anastasia. “Now, you should get something to eat and then rest well. Zoey, I would ask that you and your people, except for Kacie, of course, who will be on her way to Scotland, aid me tomorrow in casting protective spells around the walls of the school. Thanks to our Neferet, we have a tragic shortage of High Priestesses.”
“We’d be more than happy to help,” said Zoey.
“Okay, then,” Anastasia said as she stood. “Please remember to make yourselves at home. Consider this campus yours. I believe it will seem rather dour and empty after what Kevin has described of your House of Night, but we are in the process of changing that.”
“Thank you for your hospitality,” said Zoey.
Everyone filed out and headed to the professors’ dining hall, and Kevin hurried to catch up with Aphrodite.
“Hey, uh, while you eat, I’m gonna grab some of my stuff from the room and move it to the dorm,” he said.
She stopped and faced him. “This is really nice of you.”
“Well, I know that one of the things you and my girl have in common is a definite disdain for ‘roughing it,’ ” he air-quoted.
“To say the least,” muttered James as he walked by with Kacie, who covered her laugh with a cough.
Aphrodite narrowed her eyes and glared after them. “Different world—same pain-in-the-ass Bow Boy.”
“Huh?” said Stark as he passed by with Z.
“Oh, nothing. Z, save me a spot. I’ll be there in a sec,” Aphrodite said.
“No, go ahead. You don’t have to come with me to the room.” Kevin put his hands in his jeans pockets. “And you’ll be able to find it easily. It’s the same one you have in your world.”
“That’s a massive coincidence,” she said.
“Yeah, well, wait ’til you see it. I think you’ll like the décor.”
Aphrodite laughed
, “And the shoes, no doubt.”
“No doubt,” Kevin agreed. He was glad that it had stopped being painful to talk to Aphrodite and, weirdly enough, he felt like he had his Aphrodite to thank for that.
“Okay, well, how about I save you a spot in the dining room? Want me to order anything for you?”
“Nah, I’m not sure what I want, but I’ll see you soon.”
Impulsively, Aphrodite stepped forward and hugged him. “You’re a really good guy, Kevin Redbird. I know why your girl fell for you.”
He felt his cheeks get hot, but no tears threatened, and it was easy for him to hug her and then let her go without feeling like his heart was shattering into little pieces. Then she swept her hair back and twitched after Zoey, calling, “Hey! Slow down. You know how I feel about jogging!”
Kevin took his time making his way to the room he’d shared with Aphrodite. As he collected his things, he realized that he wasn’t going to move back in after Zoey and her group returned to their world. The room was more of a ghost than Aphrodite, and it haunted him with a sadness that wasn’t good for him—not if he wanted to move forward with his life, and at the edge of Nyx’s Realm, Kevin had decided that he did want to move forward.
Everything important to him fit into a duffel bag, and he slung it over his shoulder as he headed out of the arched doorway to follow the sidewalk along the rear of the school that led to the dorms. As he passed the tall marble statue of Nyx, he automatically glanced at the goddess. Someone was standing before the statue. At the moment Kevin looked, she struck a match to light the tea light she’d placed at the goddess’s feet. Flame exploded from the match with a whooshing sound that Kevin heard from the sidewalk.
The fledgling made a little squeaking noise and dropped the match, but as she tried to stomp on it, the thing refused to extinguish. Kevin left the sidewalk and jogged to her as he took a bottle of water from his duffel bag and unscrewed the lid.
“Oh, shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!” she was saying when he hurried up to her.
“It’s okay, I got it.” He poured the water on the flaming match and it finally extinguished.
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