Would you please finish telling me about your visions?
She gave me a long-suffering look, but continued. So, the vision split, like what happened with the two different deaths I saw for you. One minute youre sucking face and doing nasty stuff with Kalona. Oh, and I felt agony, too.
Well, yeah, that makes sense. You were burning, I said, frustrated that she couldnt just tell the darn vision.
No, I mean I felt other agony. Im pretty sure it wasnt coming from the burning people. Someone else was there, and they were definitely under duress.
Duress? That sounds really bad. My stomach was hurting again.
Yep. Seriously uncomfortable. One minute people were burning, I felt lots of agony, blah, blah, and you were doing it with the evil angel. Then everything changed. It was obviously a different dayin a different place. People were still burning and I still felt the weird agony stuff, but instead of doing the dirty with Kalona you stepped out of his arms. Not very far, though. And you said something to him. Whatever you said changed everything.
How?
You killed him and all the fire and such stopped.
I killed Kalona!
Yep. At least thats what it looked like to me.
Well, what did I say to him that had the power to do that?
She shrugged. Dont know. I couldnt hear you. I was experiencing the vision from the burning peoples perspective and feeling stupid agony from wherever; I was just a tad bit busy being in unbearable pain to pay attention to every little syllable you uttered.
Are you sure he died? Hes not supposed to be able to die; hes immortal.
It looked like it to me. Whatever you said made him disinte-grate.
He disappeared?
Actually, it was more like he exploded. Kinda. Its hard to describe because, well, I was burning and also he got really, really bright, and it was hard to see exactly what happened to him. But I can tell you he more or less faded away, and when he did, all the fire stopped and I knew everything was going to be okay.
Is that all that happened?
No. You cried.
Huh?
Yeah, after you killed Kalona, you cried. Major snot and everything. Then the vision ended and I woke up with a horrendous headache and my eyes hurting like crazy. Oh, and you were screaming like youd lost your damn mind. She gave me a long, considering look. Speaking of, why were you screaming?
I had a bad dream.
Kalona?
I really dont want to talk about it.
Too damn bad. You have to talk about it. Zoey, I saw the world burning while you and Kalona partied. Thats not a good thing.
Thats not going to happen, I said. Remember, you also saw me killing him.
What happened in your dream? she asked insistently.
He offered me the world. He said hes going to change things back to the ancient ways and he wants me to rule by his side, or some such bullpoopie. I said not no, but hell no. He said hed burn Oh my Goddess! Wait, you said the people were burning in a field? Could it have been a wheat field?
Aphrodite shrugged. I suppose. Fields pretty much all look the same to me.
My chest felt tight and my stomach hurt. He said he was going to separate the chaff from the wheat, and burn the chaff up.
What the hell is chaff?
I dont know exactly, but Im pretty sure it has something to do with wheat. Okay, try to remember. The field they were burning indid it have tall golden grassy stuff in it, or was it green, like hay or corn or something, well, not wheatlike?
It was yellow. And tall. And grassy. I suppose it could have been wheat.
So what Kalona threatened in my dream basically came true in your vision.
Except in your dream you didnt give in and start a big make-out session with him. Or did you?
No, I did not! I hurled myself off the top of a cliff, which is why I was screaming my brains out.
Her red-tinged eyes widened. Seriously? You really jumped off a cliff?
Well, I jumped off the top of a castle, and the castle was on the top of a cliff.
That sounds really bad.
It was the scariest thing Ive ever done, but it wasnt as bad as staying there with him. I shivered, remembering his touch and the terrible, soul-deep longing he made me feel. I had to get away from him.
Yeah, well, youre going to need to rethink that in the future.
Huh?
Would you try to pay attention? I saw Kalona taking over the world. He was using fire to kill people, and by people I mean vamps and humans. And you stopped him. Honestly, I think my vision is telling us youre the only person alive who can stop him. So you cant run away from him. Zoey, youre going to have to figure out what you said that killed him and then youre going to have to go to him.
No! Im not going to him.
Aphrodite gave me a look that was full of pity. You have to fight against this reincarnation thing and destroy Kalona once and for all.
Ah, hell, was what I was thinking when someones fist banged on the door.
CHAPTER 14
Zoey
Zoey! Are you in there? Let me in!
In less than a breath I was off the bed and at the door. I wrenched it open to find Stark leaning heavily against the doorframe. Stark? What are you doing out of bed? He was wearing hospital scrub pants and no shirt. His chest was covered by a huge white gauze Band-Aid that wrapped all the way around his torso. His face was the color of bone, and a veil of sweat beaded his forehead. He was drawing short, ragged breaths and looked like he was going to fall over any second.
But in his right hand he clutched his bow, and it was notched with an arrow.
Shit! Get him in here before he passes out. If he falls down, well never get him up again, and hes too damn big to drag around.
I tried to grab Stark, but surprising me with his strength, he shook me off. No, Im fine, he said, stalking into the room and looking around us like he expected someone to jump out of the closet. Im not going to pass out, he spat out as he got his breathing under control.
I stepped in front of him, calling his attention back to me. Stark, theres no one here. What are you doing here? You shouldnt even be out of bed, let alone climbing stairs.
I felt you. You were terrified. So I came to you.
I had a bad dream, thats all. I wasnt in any danger.
Kalona? Was he in your dream again?
Again? How long have you been dreaming about him? Aphrodite asked.
Unless youre sleeping with someone, and I dont mean just a roommate, Kalona can get into your dreams if he wants to, Stark said.
That doesnt sound good.
Theyre just dreams, I said.
Do we know that for sure? Aphrodite asked.
She directed the question to Stark, but I answered her. Well, Im not dead. So it was just a dream.
Not dead? You need to explain that, Stark said. His breathing had leveled off, and even though he still looked pale, he sounded every bit like a dangerous Warrior who was ready to fulfill his oath and protect his High Priestess.
In her dream Zoey hurled herself off the top of a cliff to get away from Kalona, Aphrodite said.
What did he do to you? Starks voice was low and filled with anger.
Nothing! I said way too quickly.
Thats because you jumped off a cliff before he could do anything, Aphrodite said.
What was he trying to do? Stark asked again.
I sighed. The same old stuff. He wants to control me. Thats not how he puts it, but its what he wants, and Im never going to give him what he wants.
Starks jaw tightened. I should have known hed try to get to you through your dreams. I know his tricks! I should have made sure you slept with Heath or Erik.
Aphrodite snorted. Thats a new one. Boyfriend number three wants you to sleep with boyfriend one or two.
Im not her boyfriend! Stark practically roared. I am her Warrior. Ive given my oath to protect her. That means more than some bullshit crush or stupid jealousy.
Aphrodite just stared at him; for once she didnt seem to know what to say.
Stark, it was just a dream, I said with a lot more conviction than I felt. It doesnt matter how many times Kalona butts into my dreams, the result is going to be the same. Im not going to give in to him.
You better make sure of that because if you do, the rest of us are in for some serious shit, Aphrodite said.
What does she mean?
She had another vision, thats all.
Thats all? Talk about being underappreciated. She gave Stark a long look. So, Arrow Boy, if you sleep with Zoey, will that keep Kalona out of her dreams?
It should, Stark said.
Then I think you should sleep with Zoey, and since three is definitely a crowd in situations like this, Im out of here.
Where are you going? I asked.
Wherever Darius is, and, no, I do not give a shit if it annoys the penguins. Seriously, I do have a massive headache. So Ill just be sleeping, but Im going to be with my vamp. And thats all there is to it.
She grabbed her clothes and her purse. I figured she was going to duck into a bathroom and change out of her granny nightgown before finding Darius, which made me remember I was standing there in my very own granny nightgown. I sat down on my bed and sighed. Oh, yeah, hed already seen me blazingly naked, which was way more embarrassing than a white cotton granny nightgown. My shoulders slumped. Goddess, for a girl who had multiple boyfriends, I was seriously impaired in the ooh-look-how-cool-I-am department.
Before Aphrodite made it out the door, I called, Dont say anything about your vision until I have a chance to think more. I mean, I hurried on, you can tell Darius, but thats it, okay?
I get it. You want to avoid hysteria. Whatever. Im not much up for listening to the nerd herd and the rest of the masses shriek, either. Get some sleep, Z. Ill see you at sunset. She gave Stark a little wave and then shut the door firmly behind her.
Stark came over to the bed, sitting heavily beside me. He flinched a little as the pain in his chest must have finally registered. He set his bow and arrow on the bedside table and gave me a rueful grin. So, I wont be needing these?
Ya think?
Which means my hands are now conveniently free. He opened his arms to me and shot me a cocky look. Why dont you come here, Z?
Hang on. I hurried over to the window, buying time while I wondered how I could move from one mans arms to another. I definitely cant rest until I make sure youre not going to incinerate, I babbled. While I was pulling the blinds I couldnt resist peeking out, and was rewarded with the sight of a day that included very little light. It was a silent gray world filled with ice and gloom. Nothing was moving. It was like life outside the abbey, along with the trees and grass and fallen power lines, had been frozen. Well, I guess this explains how you made it up here without being fried to a crisp. There is no sun out there. I kept staring out the window, mesmerized by the world turned to ice.
I knew I wasnt in any danger, Stark said from the bed. I could feel that the sun was up, but its not shining through all that icy stuff and the clouds. It was safe for me to come to you. Then he added, Z, would you come over here! My mind is telling me youre okay, but my guts still a little shaky.
I turned around, surprised that the cocky tone in his voice was gone. I left the window and put my hand in his, sitting on the edge of the bed.
I am okaya lot more okay than youd be right now if youd come rushing up here in the middle of a sunny morning.
When I felt your fear I had to come. Even at the risk of my own life. Thats part of the oath I swore to you.
Really?
He nodded, smiled, and lifted my hand to his lips. Really. Youre my lady and my High Priestess. Ill always protect you.
I cupped his face in my hand and couldnt stop staring at him, for some reason that suddenly made me cry.
Hey, dont do thatdont cry. He brushed the tears from my cheek. Come here to me.
Wordlessly, I slid in beside him, being careful not to bump his chest. He put his arm around me and I leaned against him, hoping that the warmth of his touch could wipe away the memory of Kalonas cold passion.
He does it on purpose, you know?
I didnt have to ask. I knew he was talking about Kalona.
Stark kept talking. Its not realthe stuff he makes you feel. Thats what he does. He finds a persons weakness and he uses it. Stark paused, and I could tell there was more he wanted to say. I didnt want to hear it. I wanted to curl up, and in the safety of my Warriors arms, I wanted to sleep and forget.
But I couldnt. Not after A-yas memory. Not after Aphrodites visions.
Go on, I said. What else?
His arm tightened around me. Kalona knows your weakness is the connection you have with that Cherokee girl who trapped him.
A-ya, I said.
Yeah, A-ya. Hell use her against you.
I know.
I could feel his hesitation, but finally Stark said, You want himKalona, I mean. He makes you want him. You fight against it, but he gets to you.
My stomach squeezed and I wanted to be sick, but I answered Stark honestly. I know and it scares me.
Zoey, I believe youll keep saying no to him, but if you ever give in, you can count on me to be there. Ill stand between you and Kalona, even if its the last thing I do.
I laid my head on his shoulder, remembering all too well that Aphrodite hadnt said anything about Stark being in either of her visions.
He turned his head and kissed me softly on the forehead. Oh, by the way, nice nightgown.
A little bubble of unexpected laughter escaped me. If you werent hurt Id smack you.
He gave me his cocky grin. Hey, I like it. Makes me think Im in bed with a bad little Catholic schoolgirl from one of those twisted all-girl prep schools. Want to tell me about the naked pillow fights you and your roommates used to have?
I rolled my eyes at him. Uh, maybe later when you havent just almost died.