"I was born to decorate and shop. Give me the school's gold card and I'm on it," Erin said.

"You will have a generous budget," Thanatos assured her. "Especially as the open house is only a few days away. Time is of the essence."

"If I have money I'm good at deadlines," Erin said, sounding totally up Thanatos's butt.

Right on cue Aphrodite waved her hand. "Uh, hello." She sounded bored and bitchy. Even more than usual.

"You have a question, Aphrodite?" Thanatos called on her.

"More like an intelligent statement. If you're going to put someone in charge of getting the accouterments together for a charity event, you should go to the expert: moi. I was teethed on what the middle class so barbarically calls party planning."

Thanatos's smile and tone were patronizing. "I am quite certain you were, but Erin and Dallas have already volunteered. I do have a job for you, though. I would like you to take a quick trip off campus and speak with your parents about attending the open house. From your comments to the press yesterday, I assume I can count on their support."

"Yeah, whatever. I'll talk to them." Aphrodite was doing an awesome job playing her part. She sounded pissed and absolutely annoyed that Thanatos hadn't fired Erin and put her in charge-which was exactly what we'd wanted. If Erin (and by association, Dallas) believed they were doing something important, and the rest of us were either annoyed or just puttering around, they'd be smug. They'd be obnoxious. They'd be totally distracted and not reporting anything to Neferet except that Thanatos was depending on them and giving them lots of responsibilities. Step one was definitely going according to Plan.

Damien's hand went up, straight and strong. When Thanatos called on him he practically gushed, "Could I please go with Aphrodite? I've always wanted to see the inside workings of city politics."

"Barf," Aphrodite said.

"Yes, you may," Thanatos said.

It was my hand's turn to go up. I'd prepared for this, but still it was hard to keep my voice steady. "Um, I've called Grandma about the open house and selling her lavender stuff, but she hasn't answered her phone yet."

"Did you leave your grandmother a message?" Thanatos asked.

"Yeah, I did." I let out a long breath. "And I guess it's not really a surprise that she has her phone off, seeing as we just did the reveal ritual about my mom and all." It was okay for my voice to be shaky then, and I was seriously glad because I was having a hard time keeping it together. "So, do you want me to drive out to her farm and talk to her?"

"Well, perhaps, in the next day or so," Thanatos said, waving her hand dismissively. "But I don't think that's necessary right now. Where I need you today is with me at Street Cats. I would very much like an introduction to the head of the organization, Sister Mary Angela. We are already confident of your grandmother's support, so coordinating with Street Cats is a better use of your time, Zoey."

"Okay, yeah, I can do that," I said.

"Can I go with you guys to Street Cats?" Shaylin spoke up without lifting her hand. "I'd really like a cat to choose me."

Thanatos smiled. "Of course, young fledgling." She turned her sharp gaze to Stevie Rae. "High Priestess, I need you to coordinate with your biological mother. You mentioned her baked goods during our television interview. Well, I believe we will need more than one mother's cookie baking skills to sate Tulsa's appetite come Saturday."

"I could ask my momma to get the PTA moms involved. They bake like crazy for the Henrietta Hens booster club."

"Then I will count on you to coordinate our refreshments," Thanatos said. "So, to recap-those of you I have named leaders: Dallas, Erin, Aphrodite, Zoey, and Stevie Rae-divide up the fledglings most close to you and delegate tasks. Dallas, you strike me as a Warrior in your own right, so you may stand guard over your group. Zoey, Aphrodite, and Stevie Rae, you may include your Warriors when you travel off campus as you see fit. I will trust in your judgment. Be safe and inconspicuous, which means cover your Marks and do not wear any part of our school uniform. We do not need additional human/vampyre tension or attention from the public.

"In addition, do not feel you must meet here for class between now and Monday. Those I've named leaders should come by this room to give me updates and, of course, ask for assistance should you need it. Today I will go with Aphrodite to meet the mayor, then be assured I will return to the House of Night and remain on campus, available to you as always.