Hope shivered through Stark again. He turned to Duantia. "I was wrong before. Neferet should be able to take Kalona to wherever she wants to take him, but I want the same right to take Zoey with me." He paused and made a gesture that included Aphrodite, Darius, and the other kids who were huddled together not far from them. "We want to take Zoey with us."

"Stark, I cannot agree to what would amount to a death sentence for you, too." Duantia's voice was compassionate but firm. "Within this next week, Zoey is going to die. The best place for her is here, in our infirmary, being kept comfortable during the time she has left. The best thing for you to do would be to prepare yourself for that outcome and not sacrifice yourself in a futile attempt to save her."

"You are very young," Thanatos said. "You have a long and productive life before you. Don't cut Fate's thread for you."

"Zoey will remain here until the end." Duantia nodded in agreement. "You may, of course, stay by her side."

"Um, excuse me. I don't mean to be disrespectful or anything." Everyone's attention turned to Zoey's group of friends, who had, until then, been mostly silent with grief and shock. Damien's hand was raised like he was in a classroom waiting for the teacher to call on him.

"Who are you, fledgling?" asked Duantia.

"My name is Damien, and I'm one of Zoey's friends."

"He also has an affinity for air," Jack added, wiping a hand across his tear-streaked face.

"Ah, I have been told of you," Duantia said. "Do you wish to address the Council?"

"He is a fledgling. He should be seen and not heard in Council meetings," Neferet snapped.

"I didn't know you spoke for the Vampyre High Council, Neferet," Aphrodite said.

"She does not," said Thanatos, giving Neferet a hard look before turning to Damien. "Fledgling, do you wish to address the Council?"

Damien sat up straighter, swallowed hard, and said, "Affirmative."

Thanatos's lips twitched with the beginnings of a smile. "Then you may speak. You may also put down your hand, Damien."

"Oh, thank you." Damien's hand hastily retreated. "Well, all I wanted to say, very respectfully, is vampyre law states that, as Zoey's Oath Bound Warrior, it is Stark's right to decide where and how she should be protected. At least that's what I remember from my notes last semester in Vampyre Sociology Class."

"Zoey is dying." Duantia's words were harsh, but her tone was gentle. "You must understand that her Warrior will soon be released from his Oath."

"I do understand. But she's not dead yet , and all I'm saying is that her Warrior has the right to be her protector, in anyway he believes is best for her, as long as she is alive."

"I have to agree with the fledgling," Thanatos said, nodding respectfully to Damien. "He is absolutely correct in principle. It is law, as well as a Warrior's Oath Bound responsibility, to decide what is best for his High Priestess's safety. Zoey Redbird is living; therefore, she is still under her Warrior's protection."

"And the rest of my Council? Do you agree with Thanatos?" Duantia asked.

Stark held his breath while the other five High Priestesses either spoke solemn yes es or gave small nods.

"Well done, fledgling Damien," Thanatos said.

Damien's cheeks turned pink. "Thank you, Priestess."

Duantia shook her head. "For my part, I am not as pleased as Thanatos at the prospect of the death of a promising young Warrior." Then the vampyre shrugged with acquiescence. "But the Council is in agreement. Though it saddens me, I bow to the will of my Council and to our laws. Stark, where is it you would like to take your High Priestess for her last days?"

Before he could respond, Neferet's cold voice cut in. "Am I to assume this little quorum of agreement means I am also free to leave and to take my consort with me?"

"We already decided upon that, Neferet." Thanatos's tone matched her chill for chill. "Under the conditions set, you may return to Capri with your consort's body."

"Thank you," Neferet said shortly. She made a brusque gesture at the Sons of Erebus who had carried Kalona into the Council Chamber on the litter. "Bring Erebus. We are leaving this place." With the barest of bows to the Council, Neferet strode imperiously from the room.

Everyone was watching her exit when Aphrodite grabbed Stark's arm, and said urgently, "Stall. Don't give them an answer about where you want to take Zoey."