"He asked about new beginnings," Rephaim said.

I looked up at the really cute, really hopeful, really naive boy who stood beside me. "Rephaim, Kalona isn't suddenly turning good." All I could think was: Stevie Rae is gonna kill me if I bring him back to her with an "everything is wonderful and beautiful and perfect" attitude about his dad.

"We can't make other people what we want them to be just because we want it a bunch."

"I have no intention of being good," Kalona said. "Just as I have no express interest in being evil. I simply wish for the Tsi Sgili's downfall. She has wounded me, and I would exact my revenge."

"Okay, so just exactly what does that mean?" I asked.

"It means we have a common enemy. I will help you rid the House of Night of the Tsi Sgili who masquerades as Nyx's High Priestess and her creature, the Aurox."

"Father, will you come forward and speak to the High Council, to tell them what you know of Neferet?"

"What good would that do?" Kalona asked sharply. "I have no proof to support my words. I would accuse her of taking the white bull as Consort.

She would deny it. I'm assuming she has introduced her creature as a divine gift, has she not?"

"Yeah, she has," I said. "Aurox is supposed to be a gift from Nyx."

"Let me guess-the Goddess has not appeared and denounced the creature or Neferet."

"You know that hasn't happened," I said.

"Of course it hasn't." Kalona shook his head in obvious disgust. "And because your Goddess remains silent, there is no proof from Nyx. It would be my word against Neferet's, and the Council already believes she banished me from her side. They would believe I was lying to get revenge."

"Aren't you?" I asked. "I mean, isn't that what you're saying you want, revenge?"

"I do not want her to be admonished by a ruling Council, her wrist slapped and sent to solitude in pretend service of the Goddess. I want her destroyed."

The cold hatred in his voice had me shivering again, but I couldn't argue with his logic. I didn't want to kill Neferet. Hell, I didn't want to kill anyone.

But I knew in my heart of hearts that unless she was destroyed she would end up causing unimaginable pain and suffering for all of us.

"Okay, look. You need to spell it out for me. Are you talking about killing Neferet?"

"I cannot kill her, she's become immortal." His gaze held mine. "Only Neferet can cause her destruction." My brain felt like it was going to explode. "I have no clue how to get her to do that."

"I may," Kalona said. "She consorts with the white bull. Neferet believes she can control his power. She is very wrong."

"He's the key to her destruction?" said Rephaim.

"Perhaps. We should watch and wait for a time. See what she is about, what her next move will be," Kalona said. "That will be easy with you living here at the House of Night with her. Watch her well, my son."

"We're not living here," he said before I could stop him. "I'm with Stevie Rae and Zoey and the rest of them at the depot."

"Are you? How interesting. Are all the red fledglings at the depot with you?"

"No, Neferet brought the other red fledglings, the ones who aren't part of Stevie Rae's group, to the House of Night. They're staying here now," Rephaim said.

I scowled at Rephaim and gave him a would you please be quiet look.

"That could be important. They tip the balance of Light and Darkness at this school."

"Yes," Rephaim said. "There is also a fledgling who can-"

"Who can keep her mouth shut and not tell everybody our business," I finished for him, giving Rephaim the stank eye.

Kalona smiled knowingly. "You do not trust me, little A-ya?"

I felt my heart freeze over. "No. I don't trust you. And don't call me that name again. I'm not A-ya."

"She's within you," he said. "I can sense her."

"She's only a piece of what makes me who I am today, so back off. Your time with her is over."

"There may come a day when you learn that past lives circle around to the present," he said.

"Why don't you hold your breath until that happens?" I asked with pretend sweetness.

Kalona laughed. "You do still amuse me."

"And you do still gross me out," I said.

"Can we not have a form of peace between us?" Rephaim said.