Wishing he had wings or a weapon, Rephaim crouched defensively and readied himself for the creature's onslaught.

"Rephaim! Watch out!"

He heard her voice and his fear spiked hot and thick as Stevie Rae, followed closely by Zoey, ran toward him.

The creature lowered its head and charged.

Zoey

I was close behind Stevie Rae as we ran up on the fighting. Jeesh, all I can say is that it was disgusting and horrifying and totally confusing.

I could hardly tell what was happening. Two Raven Mockers were screaming and flying away overhead. I could see the headless (eesh!) body of another Raven Mocker twitching and oozing seriously odd-smelling blood at Dragon's feet. Rephaim stood a little away from them, as if he'd been watching but not involved in the fight. Somehow Neferet was there, too, looking super crazy and smiling in a very weird way.

In the middle of the whole thing was a creature that was kinda human and kinda not. The instant I saw him the middle of my chest started to feel hot. I reached up and felt the hard, hot marble circle that hung from a silver chain around my neck. "My seer tone," I muttered to myself. "Why again?

Why now?"

As if in answer, my gaze was drawn to the bizarre creature. He had horns and hoofs, but his face was guy-like. His eyes were glowing. He'd been trying to grab a Raven Mocker out of the sky, but when he failed, he turned his attention to Rephaim, lowered his head, and charged.

"Rephaim! Watch out!" Stevie Rae yelled and sprinted toward him. She flung out her arms and I could hear her asking earth to come to her.

"Spirit!" I called, trying to keep up with her. "Strengthen Stevie Rae!" I felt the element respond as it swirled past me into Stevie Rae, along with her own element, earth. Like she was throwing a big ball, she heaved, and a glowing green wall cascaded like reverse waterfal from the earth upward, blocking Rephaim from the charging creature.

The creature hit the green wall and bounced, falling onto his back. Stevie Rae, strong and straight and proud, stood next to Rephaim. She took his hand. She raised her other hand, and when the creature tried to get up she made a smacking motion and said, "No! Stay down." A wave of glowing green washed against him, pinning him to the ground.

"Enough!" Neferet said, marching over to the creature. "Aurox is not the enemy here. Free him immediately."

"Not if he's gonna charge Rephaim," Stevie Rae said. She turned to Dragon and asked, "Was Rephaim in league with the Raven Mockers?" Without even a glance at Rephaim, Dragon said, "He was talking with them, but he did not attack with them."

"They did not attack!" Rephaim said. "They were here to see me-nothing more. You attacked them!" Dragon finally looked at Rephaim. "Raven Mockers are our enemies."

"They're my brothers." Rephaim's voice sounded incredibly sad.

"You're going to have to decide whose side you're on," Dragon said solemnly.

"I have already done that."

"And that is something the Goddess seems to believe as well," Neferet said. "Aurox," she spoke to the creature who was still lying on his back, encased in the power of the earth, "the battle is over. There is no need to protect or attack." She turned her emerald gaze to Stevie Rae. "Now, release him."

"Thank you, earth," Stevie Rae said. "You can go now." With a wave of her hand the green glow evaporated allowing the creature to stand.

Except a creature wasn't what was left standing. A boy stood there-a beautiful, blond boy who had eyes like moonstones and a face like an angel.

"Who's that? And what the hell 's going on with all that blood?" Stark's voice, suddenly beside me, made me jump.

"Oh, for shit's sake. It's a dead Raven Mocker," Aphrodite said as she and Darius and what seemed like most of the school crowded around us.

"And it's a very pretty human kid," Kramisha said, giving him a look.

"He's not human," I said, holding onto my seer stone.

"What is he?" Stark asked.

"Old magick," I said as the puzzle pieces in my mind fitted together.

"This time you are correct, Zoey." Neferet stepped up beside the guy and with a flourish announced, "House of Night, this is Aurox-the gift Nyx gave me proving her forgiveness!"

Aurox stepped forward. His strange-colored eyes met mine. Facing the crowd, but looking only at me, he fisted his hand over his heart and bowed.

"No damn way is he a gift from Nyx," Stevie Rae muttered.