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Chapter Eighteen

 

  I was in that magical, misty place between awake and asleep when he pulled me against his body. He was so big and strong and hard that the contrast between his physical presence and the soft, sweet breath that tickled the side of my neck along with the gentle kisses he placed there had me shivering. I was mostly asleep and didn't want to wake up all the way yet, but I sighed happily and stretched so that he could reach more of my neck. His arms felt so right around me. I loved being close to him and was thinking about how glad I was Stark was my Warrior when I murmured sleepily, You must really be feeling better. His touch became sexier and less gentle.

  I shivered again. Then my groggy mind registered two things simultaneously. First: I wasn't shivering just because I liked what he was doing, even though I definitely liked what he was doing. I was shivering because his touch was cold. Second: The body that pressed against me was too big to be Stark's. At that instant he whispered, Do you see how your soul longs for me? You will come to me. You are fated to do so, and I am fated to wait for you. I sucked in a gasp, came wide awake, and sat up. I was completely alone. Calm down . . . calm down . . . calm down . . . Kalona is not here . . . everything's fine . . . it was just a dream . . . Without thinking about it, I automatically started to control my breathing and steady my emotions, which were definitely in overdrive. Stark wasn't in the room, and the last thing I wanted him to do was to come running back to me because he could feel how panicked I was, when I was not in any real danger.

  I might be uncertain about a bunch of things, but I was dead sure about one thing: I didn't want Stark to start thinking he couldn't leave my side. Yeah, I was crazy about him, and glad we shared a bond, but that didn't mean I wanted him to believe I couldn't function without him. He was my Warrior, not my babysitter or my stalker, and if he started to think he had to watch me constantly . . . gawking at me while I slept . . . I suppressed a groan of horror. The door that led to the little bathroom my room shared with the guest room next door opened and Stark strode in, his gaze going straight to me. He had on jeans and a black Street Cats Catholic Charities T-shirt, and he was towel-drying his still-wet hair. I guess I must have calmed myself down and fixed the panicked expression on my face enough that as soon as he saw me sitting up in bed, alone and in no danger, his worried look changed to a smile.

  Hey, you are awake. I thought so. You okay? Yep. Fine and dandy, I said quickly. I just woke myself up by almost rolling off the bed. It kinda freaked me out. His smile turned cocky. You were probably flailing around missing me and my hot body, and that's what had you rolling off the bed. I raised a brow at him. I'm so sure that wasn't it. His mention of his body (yes, it is hot, but I'm not gonna let him think I'm drooling over him) had me studying him, and I realized he did look good--as in more than just cute and hot. He was a lot less pale than he had been when we'd gone to sleep, and he was a lot steadier on his feet. You seem better. I am better. Darius was right--I heal quickly. A solid eight hours of sleep, plus the three baggies of blood I snagged while you were still snoring, have me feeling pretty good. He walked over to the bed, bent, and kissed me softly.

  Add to that me knowing I can keep you safe from Kalona's nightmares, and I'd say I'm ready to face just about anything. I don't snore, I told him firmly, then I sighed and wrapped my arms around his waist, leaning into him, letting the strength of his physical presence chase away what remained of Kalona's nightmare presence. I'm glad you're feeling better. Should I have told Stark that Kalona had still snuck into my dreams, even with him so close and so focused on protecting me? Probably. Maybe telling him would have made a difference in what happened later. Then I was only thinking about not messing up the positive energy he had going, so I rested in his arms until I remembered I hadn't even brushed my hair or anything.

  Running my fingers through my wicked-ugly bed head, and averting my face from him to keep from blasting Stark with morning mouth, I pulled away from his embrace and hurried toward the bathroom. Over my shoulder I said, Hey, would you do me a favor while I'm taking a shower? Sure. He shot me a cocky grin, which telegraphed how good he really was feeling. Want me to wash your back? Uh, no. But thanks. I think. Jeesh, guys had such one-track minds! I want you to round up the fledglings, red and blue, and find Aphrodite, Darius, Sister Mary Angela, my grandma, and anyone else you can think of who needs to be in on the discussion of when and how we're getting back to the school. I'd rather wash your back, but no problem. Your wish, my lady, is my command. He bowed his head and saluted me, his hand over his heart. Thank you. The words came out soft. His expression of respect and trust suddenly making me feel close to tears. Hey. His smile faded. You look kinda sad. Is everything okay? I'm just glad you're my Warrior. What I said was the truth, if not all of it.

  His smile was back. You are one lucky High Priestess. I shook my head at his unending cockiness and blinked the ridiculous tears from my eyes. Just get everyone together for me, 'kay? 'Kay. Want to meet in the basement? I grimaced. Definitely not. How about you ask Sister Mary Angela if we can meet in their dining room? Then we can eat and talk. Will do. Thanks. I'll see you soon, my lady. Eyes shining, he saluted me formally again before hurrying from the room. More slowly, I entered the bathroom. Mechanically, I brushed my teeth and got in the shower. I stood for a long time just letting the hot water pour down over me. And then, when I knew I could keep my emotions calm, I thought about Kalona. I'd relaxed in his arms. I hadn't been reliving one of A-ya's memories, or even under her influence, but I'd let myself go when he touched me, and the result had been as terrifying as it was revealing. It had felt right to be with him--so right that I'd mistaken him for my oath-bound Warrior! And it hadn't seemed like a dream. I'd been too awake; too close to full consciousness. Kalona's last visit had shaken me to my core. No matter how hard I try to fight against it, my soul recognizes him, I whispered to myself. And then, as if my eyes were jealous of the water already running down my face, I began to cry.

  To find the dining room I followed my nose and my ears. All down the hallway leading to it, I could hear familiar voices laughing amid the clanking of plates and silverware and I wondered briefly if the nuns were really cool with what amounted to an invasion of teenage vampyres-to- be. I paused outside the wide, open-arched entry to the big room, checking out how the nuns were getting along with the kids. There were three rows of long tables. I'd expected the nuns to be clustered together, naturally segregating themselves from us, but they weren't. Sure, they tended to be sitting in twos and threes, but they were surrounded by fledglings--red and blue-- and everyone was chattering, which totally killed the ste reo typical image I had in my head of the nuns' dining room being a place of prayer and quiet (boring) reflection. So are you going to loiter or are you going to actually go in there? I turned to see Aphrodite and Darius standing behind me.

  They were holding hands and looking very glowy and, as the Twins would say, happy-smappy. Merry meet, Zoey. Darius saluted me formally, but his smile gave his respectful gesture a warm, casual feel. I threw Aphrodite a see-someone-has-manners look before smiling at the warrior. Merry meet, Darius. You two look pleased with yourselves. You must have found someplace to get some sleep last night. I paused, glanced at Aphrodite again, and added, Sleep or whatnot. They assured me they slept. Sister Mary Angela emphasized the word as she joined us in the doorway. Aphrodite rolled her eyes at the nun, but didn't say anything. Darius explained to me that the fallen angel has been visiting your dreams, and that Stark seemed to be able to stop him, said the nun in her usual manner of getting right to the point. What'd Stark do? Heath skidded to a stop and gave me a giant hug, planting a kiss squarely on my lips. Do I need to kick his butt? Not likely you could, Stark said, joining us from inside the dining room. Unlike Heath, he didn't grab me, but his look was so warm and intimate that it seemed to touch me as thoroughly as Heath's hug.

  And suddenly I was feeling very guy-claustrophobic. I mean, a buffet of boys sounds like a good idea in t
heory, but I was quickly finding out that, much like straight-leg designer jeans, it's only in theory that the idea is good. As if to reinforce my thoughts, Erik chose that instant to join us. Venus, the red fledgling who was Aphrodite's old roommate, was practically Velcroed to his side. Ugh. Just ugh. Hi everyone. Man, I'm starving! Erik said. He blazed the big, warm, movie star smile that I used to heart so much. Through my peripheral vision I could see Heath and Stark gawking at Erik and his Venus leech, who was definitely suckerfished to his side, which was when I remembered that neither of my other guys knew I'd dumped Erik. I stifled a sigh of pure irritation and instead of ignoring him with the icy attitude I'd have liked to throw his way, I planted my own fake smile on my face and beamed.

  Hi, Erik, Venus. Well, you guys have definitely come to the right place if you're hungry. Everything smells super-good. Erik's smile faltered for just an instant, but his acting skills were way up to the task of making it look as though he'd moved on, like, fifteen seconds after we'd broken up. Hi, Zoey. Didn't see you over there. As usual, you're surrounded by guys. Damn, it always was crowded around you. With a sarcastic chuckle he pushed past me, bumping Stark with his shoulder. If I shot an arrow and thought about an ass, would it surprise you that I hit Erik? Stark asked me in a pleasant, nonchalant voice. Wouldn't surprise me, Heath said. I can tell you boys, from personal experience, that Erik does have one nice ass, Venus said as she moved to follow Erik into the dining room. Hey, Venus, I have two words for you, Aphrodite said.

  Venus hesitated and glanced over her shoulder at her ex-roommate. Aphrodite smiled her best mean-bitch sneer and said, Re. Bound. She paused and gave a bitchy smirk and then said, Good luck with that. It was about then that I noticed every eye in the dining room was turned to us and all the conversations had skidded to a halt. Erik made a possessive little motion with his hand and Venus practically trotted up to him. Slipping her arm through his, she mashed her boob against his elbow. And then the whispers started like someone had lit them with a match. "Erik and Zoey broke up!" Erik's with Venus! "Zoey and Erik aren't together!" Well, hell.