Chapter Text
They made it to the Benedictine Abbey just as its doors opened and a pool of people came pouring out.
“Oh, thank the Mother, you made it!” Sister Mary Angela exclaimed as the horses came to a stop in a patch of grass beside the circular driveway.
“Sister, you got my message!” Zoey gasped as she hopped down from Persephone.
“Of course,” The woman said as she pulled Zoey into her arms, “I had a feeling it was urgent.”
“It is.” Zoey stepped out of the nun’s arms, “Is Grandma here?”
Stevie Rae carefully hopped down from Estelle, Aphrodite followed after her.
“Yes, and so are your friends.” The Sister answered with a warm smile.
“Wait,” Stevie Rae asked, “how did the red fledglings get here?”
“Oh, you must be Stevie Rae!” She exclaimed, turning toward her, “I’ve heard a lot about you. You are the first red vampyer High Priestess, yes?” Even though the answer was obvious.
“Yes,” Stevie Rae answered anyway, “so, how did the fledglings get here?”
“Well, when Zoey called me to fill me in on your arrival, she also told me to contact your friend Kramisha. I did so and told them to meet us here.” The Sister recapped.
“But the sun—”
“It didn’t hurt that much.” Kramisha’s voice had Stevie Rae turning away from the nun. The girl was standing with the other red fledglings, arms crossed and a smirk on her face.
“So, you figured out the poem, I’m guessin’?”
“Yeah, we did.”
“Good, we can finally end this shit for real.” She rolled her eyes as if already bored.
Before Stevie Rae could ask anything else Grandma Redbird’s voice sounded from the Abbey entrance. “Oh, Zoeybird! You have arrived!” The old woman said breathlessly.
Sylvia was sat in a wheelchair; her face was an ashy color and there were bruises under her wide, slopped eyes. A bandage was placed above her right eyebrow and her left hand was in a wrist splint. Yet, she smiled brightly when her granddaughter came rushing toward her.
“Grandma!” Zoey’s voice cracked as she gently hugged Sylvia, “You’re okay!”
“Of course I am, silly girl. Why would I not be?”
“Lots happened, Grandma.”
“Yes, but that shouldn’t stop us from doing what we must do.” Grandma Redbird said, her voice filled with understanding.
Zoey pulled back and smiled tearfully, Stevie Rae walked over and took Zoey’s hand.
“Hi, Ms. Redbird.” Stevie Rae greeted with a soft smile.
“Oh, sweetie, it’s wonderful to see you. And please, child, call me Sylvia.” She smiled.
“Grandma, I need you for something.” Zoey demanded.
“What is it, dear?” Sylvia asked with curious eyes.
As Zoey explained the Circle, Stevie Rae watched more people walk down the steps of the Abbey and toward them. Jack came running up to Damien and hugging him tightly; crying about how glad he was to see him again.
Heath and Erik stood feet apart near the large, fountain that sat in the middle of the driveway. The fountain was wide and tall, colorful speckled pebbles line its edges. Stevie Rae noticed that a statue of Mary was in the center; she held a bowl that overflowed with water.
“Then, we best move fast, Zoeybird. Kalona could be here any second.” Sylvia explained as Zoey finished recapping the plan.
Zoey quickly ordered the participants of the poem to gather in front of the fountain. Stevie Rae stood beside Aphrodite who stood to the left of the fountain. The women curved around the edge to form a half circle; like a crescent moon.
“Everyone take hands,” Zoey said, “but don’t do anything else. We have to wait till they come.”
Stevie Rae slipped her hand into Aphrodite’s and Sister Mary Angela’s; Aphrodite put her other hand in Sylvia’s.
“Look!” Aphrodite said in a hushed voice.
Up ahead head lights swept across the snow covered road; an engine road as a black SUV came rumbling toward the Abbey. Stevie Rae squinted her eyes as the headlights flashed across the fountain and into her eyes. They were clicked off when the engine was cut and the doors flew open; Stevie Rae held her breath as two figures emerged from the vehicle.
“Oh, dear Lord!” Sister Mary Angela gasped as she took in the sight of Kalona. He strode toward the edge of the driveway, his massive wings unfurled behind him.
“Don’t be fooled by him, Sister.” Stevie Rae whispered, “He’s dangerous.”
“Oh, I understand that, child, it’s just he is so . . . broken.” Her voice was gentle.
Stevie Rae furrowed her brow at the nun, not seeing what she was seeing.
“Merry meet, my dear pupils!” Neferet exclaimed as she glided up next to Kalona, her eyes hard and cool. Her voice sickeningly sweet as she took in the group.
“I was wondering where you had gone off to.” She continued as her eyes swept over Stevie Rae, “Though, I must say, that little show was quite impressive. For children.” She smirked.
“But it worked.” Zoey said, her voice surprisingly strong, “You followed us here.”
Neferet’s eyes froze on her, “And what do you think you are going to accomplish this night?” Her hands rested on her hips.
“Getting rid of you and all the wrongness you’ve brought to Tulsa and our House of Night!” She practically shouted.
Neferet chuckled, “Is that so?”
“Yes.” Zoey nodded sternly.
Neferet hummed and let her eyes fall to where Sylvia stood, “Hello, Sylvia, long time no see. Sorry about your little accident.”
“Hello, Neferet, or should I say Tsi Sigili.” Grandma Redbird said, her eyes steady, “I see you’ve brought Kalona.”
Kalona’s eyes went toward Sylvia, his lips turned up into a gleeful smile, “Unalihelitseti, agavyli ageyv.” He spoke formally, almost polite.
“Hello,” She bowed her head slightly, “you are far from home, aren’t you, Kalona?”
“On the contrary,” He said, “I’ve never felt closer to it.”
“Yet you do not belong here, Earth is not your true home.”
“Not yet, but it will be soon. Once I rule I shall call this place my true home.” He explained, his eyes going from Sylvia to Zoey, “And I shall have my one true love by my side.” He spoke softly, as if it were just him and Zoey.
Zoey shook her head, “No, I’ll never be with you, Kalona.”
Kalona rolled his eyes teasingly, “Must we play these games, A-ya?” His head cocked to the side.
“I’m not A-ya,” She contoured, “not fully at least. Yes, a part of her is inside of me, I know that, I accept that. But that doesn’t mean she is me.”
“Really?” Kalona asked, “Then who is it that desires me? You or her?”
Stevie Rae pressed her lips together, she hadn’t known about the A-ya aspect. Or that Zoey secretly wanted Kalona. Maybe that was why she’d acted weird back at the tunnels.
“Look, I am attracted to you, I can’t lie about that.” She answered, her voice free of embarrassment, “But I do know that I only feel that way because of her. She’s the one who loves you. She’s the one who wants you with her. Not me.”
Kalona raised an eyebrow, “Is that so?”
“Yes.” Zoey answered.
“Enough!” Neferet hissed, she had stood by silently as Kalona and Zoey talked. She looked like she was ready to explode in anger, “Enough of this foolish talk! Zoey Redbird, you will stop this little play for attention and return to the House of Night, NOW!”
“No, we’re not leaving. We are going to get rid of you, once and for all!” Zoey stood up straighter.
“You insolent, little girl! How dare you disobey me?” Neferet started toward the circle but stopped when Zoey started speaking.
“What once bound him
Will make him flee.
Night
Spirit
Blood
Earth
And Humanity.
Joined to conquer,
Not to overcome.
Night leads to Spirit,
Blood leads to Humanity,
And Earth completes.”
“I call Air and Fire to my Circle!” Zoey yelled, her voice like a wave, spreading across the Abbey. It was high as bells but strong as brass; it was almost otherworldly.
Stevie Rae felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up. A gust of heated air danced across her skin.
“I call Water to my Circle!”
Neferet let out a frustrated scream and stalked forward; but was stopped when a wall of water rose up in front of her.
“Stop this!” She exploded as the mini wave crashed down around her, soaking her from head to toe. Her hair clung to her soaked red gown and her make up ran down her pale face.
“I call on the power of Night to my Circle! Aid us and protect us!” Zoey went on, ignoring Neferet’s cries of rage.
Stevie Rae heard Aphrodite gasp, she turned to see the blonde looking up at the sky, her eyes wide. Stevie Rae followed her gaze and felt her mouth fall open; above them the sky was full of shinning stars. They gleamed like diamonds against the darkness. And then they starting falling, like rain on a spring day, down toward the ground. But before they hit the ground they collected themselves into a thin line, a thread almost, and weaved themselves along Stevie Rae and the others. Connecting them.
“Oh my Goodness.” Sister Mary Angela whispered, her face amazed.
“It’s beautiful.” Stevie Rae and Aphrodite whispered.
“Spirit, I call you to my Circle! Cover us from harm!” Zoey continued.
A warmth spread over Stevie Rae’s skin, almost like a fire was being lit from the inside out. It traveled toward the center of her chest and shot out upward, leaving her shaky and a little dizzy.
“Did—you—feel—that?” Aphrodite gasped, her hands gripping Stevie Rae’s.
She nodded, not able to speak, her chest burned—but in an oddly good way.
The bright light that was the women’s spirits collected above them and formed a large orb. It floated above them like a cloud.
“A-ya!” Kalona bellowed, his face stricken with fear, “What are you doing?”
Zoey ignored him and went to call on Blood. Stevie Rae felt a wetness slide down her lip, she frowned and stuck out her tongue. She tasted blood, her blood.
“No!” Aphrodite screamed as Stevie Rae’s nose started to ooze more blood, so much so that she had to lean forward so it wouldn’t get on her clothes.
“Stevie!” Aphrodite cried, she tried to move from her place but it was like her hand was stuck to Stevie Rae’s.
“She’s okay!” Zoey called, “She’ll be okay!”
Stevie Rae felt the blood dry as quick as it had come, she stood up and watched her blood float into the air and join the orb above. She turned to see Aphrodite sniffing and blinking back tears.
“I’m okay, it didn’t even hurt.” Stevie Rae whispered, “I’m right here.”
Aphrodite shook her head and bit her lip.
Next came Earth; a bright, green light shot out from the ground in front of them, piercing the sphere above. It swirled around the ball and seeped into it, turning it light green.
“Finally I call on Humanity to complete this spell!” Zoey finished.
Aphrodite screamed and fell to her knees, Stevie Rae went with her, panic rising in her chest. Aphrodite screamed as a bolt of purple light flew out from her chest, where her heart was. She gasped and curled in on herself, Stevie Rae tried to keep calm but the tears had already welled in her eyes.
“NO! A-YA, YOU CANNOT DO THIS TO US!” Kalona ragged.
Stevie Rae looked up to see his face twisted into one of fury, his eyes burning with hatred.
The purple light joined the green, glowing sphere above and it seemed to pulse with power.
“You think you can defeat us for good?” Neferet’s voice was twisted in anger, her green eyes burned with an icy fire, “I am immortal, you incompetent child! You cannot kill me!” She bared her sharp teeth at Zoey.
“A-ya, please! Why are you doing this?” Kalona asked, his voice chocked.
Stevie Rae looked from Neferet to Kalona; his face was drawn and his eyes looked misty.
“I’m not doing this for you, Kalona.” Zoey spoke in a voice that seemed to be not her own, it sounded deeper, more mature, “I’m doing it for me.”
Stevie Rae felt a chill go down her back.
Aphrodite moaned slightly and Stevie Rae quickly looked down. She was still slumped over, head on her knees. Stevie Rae swallowed dryly and put the hand that was still in Aphrodite’s on the girl’s back. Relief flooded her when she felt that she was breathing.
“IN THE NAME OF NYX, THE GODDESS OF VAMPYERS, I CALL UPON HER TO HELP ME BANISH THIS DARKNESS FROM US!” Zoey’s voice had Stevie Rae looking up.
She saw Zoey with her hands raised, along with Sister Mary Angela’s, her chin was raised and her hair seemed to whip around her.
“WITH THE POWER OF ME, SO MOTE IT BE!” She bellowed.
The orb of light above them moved so quick that it almost blurred; it hit Kalona and Neferet with a force so hard that they fell to their knees. A bright, harsh light emanated from them and Stevie Rae squinted against it. Kalona and Neferet let out screams of anguish as the light rose in the air. It went slowly at first but then it hurtled up, up, and into the sky.
Stevie Rae watched, transfixed, as the light exploded, sending colorful sparks against the sky. Kalona and Neferet were nowhere to be seen; it was as if the light had absorbed them.
No, a voice in her head said—a voice that wasn’t hers or Nyx’s, they are still out there. Evil never dies. Stevie Rae gasped just as the cheers started; her body shook with fear and confusion. Who was that? Whose voice was that?
Stevie Rea’s hand dropped from Sister Mary Angela’s and she looked back at Aphrodite.
“A—Aphrodite?” Stevie Rae squeaked out, the sound of everyone celebrating sounded very far away from her.
Aphrodite groaned, her voice muffled and weak, “H—help . . . .” She slowly lifted a shaky hand to Stevie Rae.
Stevie Rae quickly took it and gently helped Aphrodite to her feet. She draped Aphrodite’s arm around her shoulders.
“Are you okay? Are you hurt?” She asked, panic rising in her voice.
Aphrodite’s head was still down, she shook it slightly, “N—no, I’m . . . I’m fine. Just—just a little—woozy.”
Stevie Rae looked around to see people hugging and talking excitedly, she saw Zoey crying as her Grandmother hugged her. She spotted the red fledglings in their own group, talking and laughing quietly. Stevie Rae started over to them, Aphrodite stumbling along.
“Now that was totally cool!” Johnny B. proclaimed with a grin, “That was like something out of a movie!”
“Did you see the stars?” Shannon Campton asked, her eyes huge with awe, “They were so beautiful!”
“What about Kalona and Neferet? They sounded scared as shit when they got run over by that big ball of light.” Kramisha chuckled, “Wish I had me a video camera so I could ’a recorded it.”
“Guys.” Stevie Rea interrupted, “A little help.”
“Oh shit!” Kramisha gasped and rushed over to Aphrodite’s other side to prop her up, “What happened?”
“I don’t know. After Humanity was called on she passed out.”
“C’mon, let’s get her inside.” Kramisha said.
Stevie Rae looked back to see her friends still laughing and celebrating, she’d have to join them later.
Kramisha and Stevie Rae dragged Aphrodite to the Abbey’s medical room; Kramisha guiding them most of the way. When they finally arrived Stevie Rae led Aphrodite to one of the beds in the corner, while Kramisha rummaged through the draws.
“Get a glass of water, Kramisha.” Stevie Rae commanded as she gently laid Aphrodite onto the bed.
Aphrodite’s eyes were closed, her face pale.
Kramisha came over to the bed holding a glass of water and a damp cloth, “She still breathin’, right?” She asked as she handed Stevie Rae the cloth.
“Yeah, she is. I just don’t—” Her voice choked up, tears welled in her eyes.
Stevie Rae clutched Aphrodite’s hand, it was cool against her fingers, not even caring that Kramisha was seeing it.
“I’ll get one of the nuns.” Kramisha murmured, “They’ll know what to do.”
Stevie Rae didn’t even glance at Kramisha as she left the room, her eyes were glued to Aphrodite’s still face. Please, please wake up.
* * *
Aphrodite didn’t know where she was, everything was white and she floated lightly in the air. It was like in the movies when the universe disappeared and all that was left was this vast nothingness.
Oh, fuck me, did the universe explode? She thought as panic cinched her stomach.
No, no, it didn’t explode! It was still there, still intact, Aphrodite just wasn’t a part of it right now. Then where am I? Where is everyone?
She didn’t know how long she’d been here but no one had shown up, not even Nyx had come, ready to bestow wisdom onto her. Was this some weird vision? Was Nyx trying to tell her that if they didn’t get rid of Kalona and stop Neferet the world would no longer exist?
Seems about right. After all Kalona is an angel with loads of power.
Which is why she had to get back, had to wake up, her friends needed her! Stevie Rae needed her!
Stevie Rae . . . I gotta get back to her! She can’t do this without me! Aphrodite tried to move her body, get her feet on the ground and start running. But it was like she was being weighed down by an invisible force; she couldn’t move.
She squirmed fruitlessly and pulled at her frozen limbs but nothing happened. She was stuck. Goddess! Why do the shitty things always happen to me? Anger filled her as she let out a groan. First my Mark gets wiped off, now this! For Fucks sake I’m not that bad of a person! Nyx said so!
Aphrodite gasped, “That’s it!” She cried.
All she had to do was call on her Goddess and she’d be okay! Nyx wouldn’t let her suffer forever!
“Nyx! Goddess, are you there? It’s me, Aphrodite! Your Prophetess!” Aphrodite shouted, only feeling a little stupid as she yelled into the void.
She held her breath and waited for Nyx to appear, but after counting to sixty, nothing happened.
What the hell?
“Nyx! Could you help me, please! Tell me where I am at least?” She tried, her voice echoing in the white space, “Please! I need to wake up, they need me!”
Another minute went by and still nothing.
“NYX!” Aphrodite screeched, eyes closed, nose scrunched.
She opened her eyes, hoping to see the Goddess in front of her, beautiful and helpful, but there was nothing. Panic crawled up Aphrodite’s throat, tears bit at the corner of her eyes; am I going to die here?
No. She couldn’t die here! She still had so much to do! A life to live! For Goddess’ sake she was only eighteen! Only losers died young!
“Nyx! Nyx, can you hear me?” She called, “Please, please don’t let me die!”
It’s not my time.
* * *
“There is nothing physically wrong with her.” The nun—Sister Heather Anne—told Stevie Rae.
They stood in the infirmary, across from Aphrodite’s bed, who lay, still and sleeping. The nun had looked over Aphrodite for about thirty minutes, checking her vitals and heat beat. She had hooked Aphrodite up to a monitor that beeped steadily, and had hook an IV to her as well.
“A—are you sure?” Stevie Rae asked, her eyes felt puffy from crying as she’d waited for the nun to finish her exam.
Kramisha had waited with her, saying that Aphrodite was a tough bitch, she’d make it through. Not even questioning why Stevie Rae was so upset, maybe she figured because they were friends.
When Sister Heather Anne had come out, she had told Stevie Rae that there wasn’t anything medically wrong with her friend.
“She is perfectly healthy. Honestly, I don’t know what could’ve made her pass out. She isn’t even dehydrated.” Sister Heather Anne had said, with a confused expression on her bronze colored face.
“Yes, Stevie Rae, I am sure.” The nun said now, her lips pursed, “Honestly I think this is a magical problem.”
“What do you mean?” Stevie Rae asked, though she should’ve thought of that before. After all magic had been present today.
“I mean I think you should get a High Priestess to help.”
“But there isn’t—” She stopped herself, there was one. Two actually, but one that could do what she couldn’t.
But Zoey had to be exhausted after today, she had just taken out an immortal—two of them. Stevie Rae didn’t think it’d be good for her to do another heavy job.
“Okay, I’ll figure something out.” Stevie Rae sighed, her eyes going to Aphrodite, could she really help her? Would her power be enough?
The nun nodded, “I’ll leave you two alone. But, it is almost sunset, you’ve been up half the day, aren’t you tired?” There was a concern look in her eyes.
“No, I’ll be fine.” Stevie Rae said, even though she was tired. From lack of sleep and stress. But she’d work through it, for Aphrodite. She needed to wake her up.
* * *
Aphrodite didn’t know how much time had passed, an hour, a day, she didn’t know. What she did know was that she wasn’t getting out of this white-space-hell anytime soon.
Nyx, please, I’m begging you, help me. She didn’t want to die, she didn’t want to leave everyone behind. She was just starting to feel like she belonged again. I can’t leave Stevie Rae, I love her.
The thought of never seeing her again made Aphrodite feel sick; Stevie Rae was what made her feel accepted. What made her feel like everything was going to be okay. Made her feel loved.
“Please,” Aphrodite said, her voice full of tears, “please, help me get back.”
But there was nothing. Nothing.
* * *
Okay, just focus. Stevie Rae told herself as she knelt beside Aphrodite’s bed, her hands going to clasp the other girls. They were warm, that was a good sign, it meant her heart was still beating.
Closing her eyes, Stevie Rae took a deep breath and concentrated on her element. Though she didn’t know how Earth would help in waking Aphrodite up, Earth wasn’t a Healer or doctor. But she had to try.
Earth, you’ve helped a lot today, and I’m grateful for that. I need you with me again, please, please help me wake up Aphrodite. She focused on drawing the Earth into her hands and letting it seep into Aphrodite’s. Letting it heal her from the inside out and make her open her eyes.
Heal her, Earth. I can’t do any of this without her. A tear rolled down Stevie Rae’s cheek, I love her.
* * *
An icy feeling washed over Aphrodite, making her shiver. She gasped and turned her head but didn’t see anything. She was still alone. With a sigh she turned back around, the cold leaving her body just as a heat replaced it.
“What the hell?” She said, confused. Was she dying now? Where was the pain? The flash of light? Would she get to see her pathetic life play out before her eyes?
“Shit!” She gasped as a jolt when up her spine, making her feet tingle. What the fuck was that?
“What’s happening?” She cried, tears of panic welling in her eyes.
Aphrodite looked around, she felt as if someone was watching her, but there was no one.
“Hello!” She screamed, tears sliding down her face, “Is anyone there? Nyx? Hello!”
Be still, Aphrodite, be still.
She let out a shriek when the voice entered her head. It didn’t sound like Nyx. Or even Kalona; who was it?
“Who are you? What do you want?” She cried.
Be still, Aphrodite, be still.
“What?” She asked, why wasn’t she getting any answers?
But the voice just repeated their words, telling her to be still.
“Fine!” She screamed, frustrated.
She stopped fidgeting and let her body freeze. She floated in the air and tried to be calm.
This will only hurt a little.
“Wait, what—”
But she never got to finish her sentence because a pain slashed through her eyes, blinding her.
* * *
Stevie Rae felt a force push her back from Aphrodite’s bed, she gasped and opened her eyes just as her body hit the ground. She heard Aphrodite scream and bolted up in bed.
“Oh my God!” Stevie Rae screamed and scrambled to her feet, practically falling against Aphrodite.
“S—Stevie!” Aphrodite sobbed, her arms curling around her.
“You’re alive!” Stevie Rae cried, her face buried in her shoulder, “I thought you were dead!”
“I—I’m not. I’m not.” Aphrodite gasped, her frame shaking as she held Stevie Rae closer.
They sat there, crying and hugging till their bodies stilled and the tears had halted. They let themselves relax in each other’s arms, letting the calm wash over them.
Thank you, thank you, Nyx! Stevie Rae thought as she pulled back from Aphrodite.
“I was so scared,” She said, “I thought—” Her words fell away when she saw Aphrodite’s face—or more importantly her forehead.
“What?” Aphrodite asked, her eyes wide, “What is it?” She took hold of Stevie Rae’s hands.
“I—I . . . .” Stevie Rae didn’t know what to say, a mix of joy and confusion coursed through her.
“Stevie, what is it?”
“I—I don’t . . . . You’re—you’re f—face.”
“What about my face?” Aphrodite put a hand to her cheek, “Is it broken? I swear if it’s broken I’ll—”
“N—no it’s—well—” Stevie Rae got up from the bed and quickly went to the cupboard.
“Babe, what are you doing?” Aphrodite asked, a little impatient.
Stevie Rae pulled out a small mirror and hurried over to Aphrodite, “Look!” She thrusted the mirror in front of Aphrodite’s face.
“WHAT!” Aphrodite exploded, her voice bouncing off the walls of the room.
The door banged open and Stevie Rae turned to see Zoey; Damien; Jack; the Twins; Erik, and Heath rushing in.
“What happened?” Zoey asked, her eyes jumping from Stevie Rae to Aphrodite, “Oh my Goddess!”
“H—how is this possible?” Aphrodite cried, tears going down her cheeks.
“I don’t know.” Stevie Rae whispered, her smile bright as she took the mirror from Aphrodite, “But I’m glad it happened.”
Her eyes went to the red outline of a half-moon on Aphrodite’s forehead.
“I’m a fledgling again.” Aphrodite said in a hushed voice.
“You’re a fledgling again.”
With a cry of joy Aphrodite threw her arms around Stevie Rae and held her tight; Stevie Rae could only imagine the shocked looks on her friends’ faces.
Aphrodite pulled back and kissed Stevie Rae on the mouth, it was full and long and filled with happiness. Gasps rose up from behind them but she didn’t care, all she could focus on was Aphrodite and the fact that she was alive.
And hers. Forever.
END