Page 22 (1/1)

The night sky over Tulsa was alight with a ical crescent moon Its brilliance made the ice that coated the city, and the Benedictine Abbey where we'd just had our shoith a fallen i around ht-bathed circle that stood in front of Mary's Grotto, the place of pohere not long ago Spirit, Blood, Earth, Huht had been personified and then had joined to triumph over hatred and darkness

The carved ie of Mary, surrounded by stone roses and nestled within a ledge high in the grotto, appeared to be a beacon for the silver light I stared at the statue Mary's expression was serene; her ice-covered cheeks glistened as if she wept in quiet joy My gaze lifted to the sky Thank you I sent a silent prayer up to the beautiful crescent that symbolized one Thank you, I whispered to the h me, subtle and sweet like leaves touched by a suhtly that istered them, yet Nyx's whispered command imprinted itself into my soul

I was vaguely aware that there were a lot of people (well, nuns, fledglings, and a few va, talking, crying, and even laughing that filled the night, but it all felt distant At that s that were real to me were the moon above and the scar that sliced from one shoulder all the way across led in response to le of pain Not really It was a fa sensation that assured ain, Marked me as hers I knew if I peeked under the neck of ry-looking scar with an exotic filigree of sapphire--a sign that proved I was following my Goddess's path

Erik and Heath, find Stevie Rae, Johnny B, and Dallas--then check the perimeter of the abbey to be certain all the Raven Mockers fled with Kalona and Neferet! Darius shouted the co me out of my warm, fuzzy prayer mode, and once I'd been shocked out, it was like an iPod had been cranked too high as sound and confusion flooded my senses But Heath's a human A Raven Mocker could kill him in a second The words burst fro beyond all doubt that being moonstruck wasn't my only moronic skill Predictably, Heath puffed up like a cat-s very tall and full-grown, kick-your-butt vampyre-like, snorted sarcastically and then said, No, you're a damn human

Wait, that doesbaddies and inside fivetheir chests at each other How totally predictable, Aphrodite said with her patented sarcastic sneer as she joined Darius, but her expression coed when she turned her attention to the Son of Erebus Warrior Hey there, Hotness You doing okay? You need not worry about raphed the che to her like he usually would and doing so, he remained focused on Stark

Aphrodite's gaze went from Darius to Stark Okay, eew Your chest is totally crispy crittered Ja between Darius and Erik Okay, well, standing wasn't exactly what he was doing Stark aying and looking extre Aphrodite, Erik spoke up Darius, you should probably get Stark inside I'll coordinate the reconnoitering with Stevie Rae andruns smoothly out here His words seee, and when he followed up with a condescending I'll even let Heath help out, he really sounded like a pompous butt You'll let me help out? Heath snapped Your mom will let me help out Hey, which one of them is supposed to be your boyfriend? Stark asked lance with his His voice was scratchy, and he sounded scarily weak, but his eyes sparkled with huether

Oh, for crap's sake, Zoey, they're both idiots! Aphrodite said Stark started to chuckle, which turned to a cough, which changed again to a painful gasp His eyes rolled back and, like a slinky, he collapsed Moving with the quickness that caht Stark before he hit the ground I need to get hi to explode Sagging in Darius's ar dead I-I don't even knohere the infiruin to show us, Aphrodite said Hey, you, nun! she yelled at one of the nearby black-and-white?clad sisters who had scurried out of the abbey after the night had gone from battle chaos to aftermath chaos

Darius hurried after the nun, with Aphrodite following hilanced over his shoulder atwith us, Zoey? As soon as I can Before I could deal with Erik and Heath, fro saved the day Go on with Darius and Aphrodite, Z I'll take care of Duer monsters left out here

Stevie Rae, you are the Best Friend of All Best Friends I turned and hugged her quickly, loving how reassuringly solid and norot a weird twinge when she stepped back and grinned at me and I saw, as if for the first time, the scarlet tattoos that spread out from the filled-in crescent in the middle of her forehead and down either side of her face A sliver of unease threaded throughmy hesitation, she said, Don't worry about these two dorks I' theht srandht after Kalona was banished and Sister Mary Angela just told oin' inside to check on her Yeah, I re her into the wheelchair

I'm justMy voice trailed off I was just what? How could I put into words that I was haunted by a feeling that everything wasn't right with roup of kids she'd allied herself with, and how do I say that to my best friend? You're just tired and worried 'bout a bunch of stuff, Stevie Rae said softly Was that understanding I saw flicker through her eyes? Or was it soet it, Z, and I'll take care of things out here You just be sure Stark's okay She hugged ave me a little push in the direction of the abbey 'Kay Thanks, I said la the two dorks ere standing there staring at me Stevie Rae called after me, Hey, remind Darius or someone to keep an eye on the time It's only about an hour until sunrise, and you know otta be inside out of the sun by then Yeah, no proble harder and harder for et Stevie Rae wasn't what she used to be