Found

by P. C. Cast

  They laughed together and, as Kacie continued to steal his fries, James Stark forgot that people were staring at him.

  22

  Zoey

  The Council Room was packed and, as I entered it with Stark right behind me, everyone stood and saluted respectfully, which was moving and nice, but also made me nervous for the first time in a long time. I took a seat at the big round table in the center of the room, and Stark chose the empty one at my side. Then I blinked in surprise at Aphrodite, who had on dark glasses and was ghostly pale and wrapped tightly in a fluffy bathrobe as she sipped more of what smelled like lavender CBD tea from a big mug.

  “Are you sure you’re okay to be here?” I asked her.

  “No, and I’d much rather sleep off my vision hangover, but I need to be here. I’ll sleep after.”

  As always, Darius was at her side. I saw him send her a worried look, but I had to agree with Aphrodite. We did need her. We needed all the help we could get.

  Stevie Rae was sitting on Aphrodite’s other side, with a still-damp Rephaim next to her. Then Damien and Kevin were seated beside each other, with James and Kacie in the next seats. Lenobia was beside Kacie, then came Grandma—whose lavender chocolate chip cookies were piled in the middle of the table—and then me.

  “I just got off the phone with Detective Marx,” I began. “The rain is not helping. The TPD homicide unit has been working hard, but any trail or tracks left by the tendrils of Darkness have washed away. Basically, they could be anywhere in midtown.”

  “And wherever they are is where we’ll find Neferet,” said Stark.

  I nodded. “Darius, Marx would like the help of the Sons of Erebus Warriors in searching for Neferet—who we’ll call Batshit—not just to save confusion when we’re talking about the Other World Neferet, but also because it’s accurate.”

  “As soon as we’re done here, I’ll organize the Warriors and we’ll start a search grid,” said Darius.

  Damien raised a finger, calling our attention to him. “Be sure you check her old penthouse suite at the Mayo. It’s been under renovation for the past year, but she might be looking for somewhere familiar to hide.”

  “Good idea,” I said.

  Lenobia spoke up. “It would be wise to search the tunnels and then close off the downtown entrances and the newer additions from the depot. It’s like a maze down there, and the last thing we need is for her to start kidnapping people and taking them underground to feed.”

  “Another good idea,” I agreed.

  “Got it,” said Darius.

  “Everyone needs to keep in mind that as soon as she’s recovered all her strength, Batshit is going to be heading to Kev’s world,” said Aphrodite. “My vision was clear about only a few things—but the fact that she joins Other Neferet over there is one.”

  “Another is that your daddy in that Other World is gonna be at the showdown,” added Stevie Rae to Rephaim.

  “This seems a good time for us to go over the prophetic poem u-we-tsi was kind enough to bring from his world to ours. Might I read it aloud, Zoeybird?”

  “Absolutely, Grandma,” I said.

  Grandma Redbird stood, strong and sure. She wore her age like a badge of honor, and I hoped that I would someday grow into a woman who was as wise and compassionate.

  Grandma passed around copies of the prophecy and then cleared her throat and read from a paper she held before her.

  “Ancient one sleeping, waiting to arise,

  When the dead joins with fire and water red

  Son who is not—his word is key; the raven will devise

  He shall hear the call from his sacrificial bed.

  By the blood of she who is neither foe nor friend he is free.

  Behold a terrible sacrifice to come—a beautiful sight,

  Ruled by love they shall be.

  The future will not kneel to her dark might.

  Kalona’s return is not bittersweet

  As he will be welcomed with love and heat.”

  No one spoke at first as we all studied the poem. Then Grandma said, “Before we talk about particulars, I wanted to let you know that I shared this with the Wise Woman Council, and we are all in agreement—this Kalona did not Fall as did ours. There is no negative reference to him at all like there was in our world’s prophecy. Coupled with the fact that there are no Raven Mockers in that world, and that Kevin has told me that my ancestral journal in his world only mentioned a being called Silver Wings—and we know our Kalona’s wings turned black when he was ejected from Nyx’s Realm—it is our belief that there you are dealing with a version of Kalona who did not turn to Darkness.”

  “But for some reason, he retreated from the world and is sleeping, waiting to arise,” said Rephaim.

  “We need to hope that the reason he’s sleepin’ is good and not ’cause he did somethin’ horrific and is basically hidin’,” said Stevie Rae.

  Kevin folded his hands in front of him on the table, which I knew was his way to keep from cracking his knuckles nervously. “Well, even though we don’t know why he left the world and Nyx, I don’t think we have much choice. We have to wake him up.” Kevin looked at me. “Where was he entombed in your world?”

  “Here,” I said. “At the House of Night. He was buried under that big oak by the east wall.”

  “At least he’ll be easy to find,” said James. He glanced at Kacie and continued. “And I think Ice Cream Shoes is going to have to take a trip to my world.”

  Kacie shrugged nonchalantly. “I’m cool with it. I like to travel.”

  Grandma nodded. “I agree, though Kacie is only part of the equation. She definitely could meet the fire and water red reference, though she is, most happily, not dead.”

  Kacie grinned at Grandma. “Yeah, I’m glad about that part too, but the truth is, I was dead not too long ago. Maybe that whole line is about me.”

  “That seems logical, dear,” said Grandma.

  “Well, the next two lines are obviously about Rephaim,” said Stevie Rae. “And that’s good ’cause even though Other Kalona isn’t his daddy, they still might have a connection. I mean, you and Kev aren’t actually brother and sister in this world, but y’all are close like you are.”

  Rephaim added, “I will pray to Father about this. Sometimes he speaks to me through my dreams. Perhaps he can give me insight on what to say to this other version of himself.”

  Aphrodite lifted her sunglasses and rubbed her bloodshot eyes before saying, “Okay, guys, I’m gonna say this, and I wish I didn’t have to, but something about the she who is neither foe nor friend line keeps messing with my mind. We need to consider that it might be referring to Other Neferet.”

  “Oh, hell no!” blurted James.

  “Calm it down right meow, Other Bow Boy,” said Aphrodite. “None of us like it. None of us would trust her. But read it again and tell me if you have a better answer to plug in there.”

  I reluctantly added, “Plus, we have the fact that in Aphrodite’s vision it seemed Other Neferet could’ve been on our side.”

  “Well, if we have to count on Neferet to help us raise Kalona, we’d better come up with plan B,” said Kevin.

  I leaned forward. “Your Neferet isn’t stupid, right James?”

  He shook his head. “She’s mean and selfish, but she’s also cunning. No, I would never describe her as stupid.”

  “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 come because you will be acting High Priestess in my place.”

  Lenobia drew a deep breath and said, “I would ask that Darius remain here. He is our Swordmaster, and with our Neferet free, even if she is only here for a short time, we need his strength and wisdom to protect our fledglings and priestesses.”

  “That makes sense to me,” I said.

  My gaze went to Aphrodite. She was frowning, but I saw her eyes cut to Kevin and then return to me. She sighed. “He’s going to be pissed, but I’ll talk to him.”

  “Okay, this meeting is over. If you need me, I’ll be in the media center writing a spell,” I said.

  Lenobia and Damien filed out quickly, followed by Stevie Rae and Rephaim. Stevie Rae touched my shoulder on her way past me and said, “You need some help with the spell, Z?”

  “Absolutely,” I said.

  “Want me to bring brown pop or blood to the media room?”

  “Both,” I said. “And Doritos.”

  “Um, should I get Damien, too?” she asked.

  “No, let him be with Jack. This is going to be hard on them.”

  “’Kay. See you soon.”

  James and Kacie were still sitting beside each other. Their heads were tilted together, and they seemed to be talking easily. James and Ice Cream Shoes …? And this time I didn’t feel even a twinge of inappropriate jealousy.

  “Hey, James,” Stark said.

  When James kept talking to Kacie and didn’t seem to hear him, Aphrodite loudly cleared her throat. Kacie and James looked at her, and she pointed at Stark.

  “James, I thought you might like to come with us to meet with Marx and check out the Sons of Erebus—since you’re a general in your world and all.”

  “Oh, yeah. I would,” James said. He stood and then paused and turned back to Kacie. “Would you like to meet me in the Professors’ Dining Hall afterward for a drink?”

  Kacie didn’t exactly smile, but her pretty face lit up with pleasure. “Yes, I definitely would.”

  “Great. See ya.”

  Stark and I shared a look. I winked, and he smiled. Then the two vampyres, identical except for the color of their Marks and the weight of their souls, left the room together.

  Aphrodite fluttered her fingers at Kacie to get her attention. “Hey, Ice Cream Shoes, you know he’s stuck on Z, right?”

  Kacie lowered her voice dramatically and cut her eyes at Kevin. “He
y, Aphrodite, you know he’s stuck on you, right?” Then she stood, saluted me, and left the room.

  “That kid is kinda a pain in the ass,” Aphrodite said. “I like her.”

  “Me too,” I said.

  “She definitely has spunk,” said Grandma. “Zoeybird, I shall go. I believe I would like to make protective charms to carry with you.”

  “That would be really great, G-ma,” said Kevin.

  “Oh, u-we-tsi, it is always such a joy to see you.” Grandma kissed Kevin on the forehead before she smiled at me and left the room.

  Then I realized it was just Aphrodite, Kevin, and me, and I stood so quickly that I almost knocked over my chair.

  “I better get to the media center and start on that spell,” I said. I studied Aphrodite. “And you need to sleep. We’ll be leaving soon, and you’re definitely not a hundred percent.”

  “I’ll sleep, but first, I need to talk with your brother. So don’t forget to close the door on your way out.”

  My gaze found Kevin, who was watching Aphrodite with a mixture of fear and fascination.

  I couldn’t help them. I knew that from my own struggle with James. They would have to find their own way to acceptance, but as I left I sent a silent prayer to Nyx.

  Please, Nyx, help Kevin’s heart to heal and let Aphrodite be wise and kind.

  And then I closed the door behind me on the way out.

  23

  Other Kevin

  Kevin almost had to stop himself from shouting at his sister, No, don’t go! It was stupid. He knew that, but being alone with Aphrodite made his palms sweat and his stomach hurt.

  Clearly reading his terrified expression, Aphrodite raised one perfect blond brow at him. “Oh, for shit’s sake, I’m not going to bite you.”

  His nerves made him go for levity instead of a wiser choice. “Unless I want you to?”

  “No, Kev. Not even if you want me to. I’m not into pain.” She paused and then added, “Well, not anymore anyway.” Aphrodite patted the chair beside her. “Would you mind coming over here? My eyes hurt and my vision is still wonky and when I have a vision, I’m—”