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"No one except us," Erin said, sweeping out her hand so that she included not just our little group, but everyone else in the room, too

"I don’t know, y’all,with some of them okay," Stevie Rae said without any touch of sarcas with them I don’t like their kind-- the kind of people who try to control others and make them look bad just to feel better about theo to their Full Moon Ritual!" I said fir about my stepfather and his buddies, and how ironic it was that they seeers who called theo with you if I could--any of us would--but unless you’re one of the Dark Daughters you can only get in if you’re invited," Stevie Rae said sadly

"That’s okay just deal with it" Suddenly I wasn’t hungry anymore I was just very, very tired, and I really wanted to change the subject "So explain to me about the different symbols you wear here You told me about ours--Nyx’s spiral Damien has a spiral, too, so that must mean he’s aI paused to remember what Stevie Rae had called freshs, and Aphrodite had soht up her skinny anus?" Erin muttered

"SheShaunee to whatever she was going to add "The three Fates are children of Nyx The sixth for scissors to symbolize the end of school"

"And for soloomily

That shut everyone up When I couldn’t stand the uncomfortable silence anymore I cleared s?"

"The wings of Eros, who is the child of Nyx’s seed--"

"The love god," Shaunee said, adding a seated gyration of her hips

Das of Eros are the fourth formers’ sy, raising her ar her hips

"Actually, it’s because we’re supposed to be res symbolize our continuous movement forward"

"What’s the syolden chariot pulling a trail of stars," Damien said

"I think it’s the prettiest of the four symbols," Stevie Rae said "Those stars sparkle like crazy"

"The chariot shows that we continue on Nyx’s journey The stars represent the ic of the two years that have already passed"

"Daood little student," Erin said

"I told you we should have gotten hiy test," Shaunee said

"I thought I told you we needed his help, and--"

"Anyway," Da, "that’s about all there is to the four symbols of the classes Easy-peasy, really," he looked pointedly at the now silent Twins "That is, if you pay attention in class instead of writing notes and staring at guys you think are cute"

"You’re really prudey, Day boy" Erin added

"Erin, your hair’s looking kinda frizzy today Not to beproducts You can’t be too careful about those kinds of things The next thing you know you’ll be getting split ends"

Erin’s blue eyes got huge and her hand went automatically to her hair

"Oh, no no no I do not believe you just said that, Damien You kno crazy she is about her hair" Shaunee started to puff up like a mocha-colored blowfish

Dahetti-- the perfect picture of innocence

"Uh, y’all," Stevie Rae said quickly, standing up and pulling me with her by the elbow "Zoey looks beat Y’all reoing to go back to our rooy test, so I probably won’t see you until tomorrow"

"Okay, see ya," Damien said "Zoey, it was really nice to h" Erin and Shaunee said together before Stevie Rae pulled me out of the room

"Thanks I really ah a hall that I was happy to recognize as the one that would lead to theWe paused while a sleek, silver-gray cat chased a s tabby across the hall in front of us

"Beelzebub! Leave Ca to rip your fur out!"

Stevie Rae ray cat andthe tabby and instead streaked back down the hall the e had just co after him

"Shaunee and Erin need to teach that cat of theirs solanced atand walked out into the soft, pre-dawn darkness "That cute little Cas to Erin and Shaunee; he chose both of thee as it sounds, but after a little while you’ll be like the rest of us and start thinking that they h"

"Oh, they’re great They bicker a lot, but they’re totally loyal and will never let anyone talk about you" She grinned "Okay, they ht talk about you, but that’s different, and it won’t be behind your back"

"And I really like Damien"

"Damien’s sweet, and really sh"

"How coot here about six ay-- hello, it’s not like the boy tries to hide it--he co to roorimaced I can’t stand homophobes "And Neferet actually put up with that attitude?"

"No, she ed his naot here"--she shook her head and rolled her eyes--"doesn’t that just figure? Anyway, Neferet let it be known that Thor ay out of line, and she gave Da into another roo with Thor Damien chose to move I mean, wouldn’t you?"

I nodded "Yep No ould I room with Thor the Homophobe"