Darius hurried after the nun, with Aphrodite following him. The warrior glanced over his shoulder at me. Aren't you coming with us, Zoey? As soon as I can. Before I could deal with Erik and Heath, from behind me a familiar twang saved the day. Go on with Darius and Aphrodite, Z. I'll take care of Dumb and Dumber and be sure there's no booger monsters left out here.

Stevie Rae, you are the Best Friend of All Best Friends. I turned and hugged her quickly, loving how reassuringly solid and normal she felt. Actually, she seemed so normal that I got a weird twinge when she stepped back and grinned at me and I saw, as if for the first time, the scarlet tattoos that spread out from the filled-in crescent in the middle of her forehead and down either side of her face. A sliver of unease threaded through me. Misunderstanding my hesitation, she said, Don't worry about these two dorks. I'm gettin' used to jerking them apart. When I just stood there staring at her, the bright smile she'd been wearing dimmed. Hey, you know your grandma's okay, right? Kramisha got her back inside right after Kalona was banished and Sister Mary Angela just told me she was goin' inside to check on her. Yeah, I remember Kramisha helping her into the wheelchair.

I'm just . . . My voice trailed off. I was just what? How could I put into words that I was haunted by a feeling that everything wasn't right with my best friend and the group of kids she'd allied herself with, and how do I say that to my best friend? You're just tired and worried 'bout a bunch of stuff, Stevie Rae said softly. Was that understanding I saw flicker through her eyes? Or was it something else, something darker? I get it, Z, and I'll take care of things out here. You just be sure Stark's okay. She hugged me again, and then gave me a little push in the direction of the abbey. 'Kay. Thanks, I said lamely, starting toward the abbey and totally ignoring the two dorks who were standing there staring at me. Stevie Rae called after me, Hey, remind Darius or someone to keep an eye on the time. It's only about an hour until sunrise, and you know me and all the red fledglings gotta be inside out of the sun by then. Yeah, no problem. I'll remember, I said. The problem was it was getting harder and harder for me to forget Stevie Rae wasn't what she used to be.

Chapter Two

All right, you two, listen up. I'm only gonna say this once--act right. Standing between the two guys, Stevie Rae put her hands on her hips and glared at Erik and Heath. Without taking her eyes from them she yelled, Dallas! Almost instantly the kid jogged up to her. What's up, Stevie Rae? Get Johnny B. Tell him to take Heath and search around the front part of the abbey over by Lewis Street and make sure the Raven Mockers are really gone. You and Erik take the south side of the building. I'll go down along the tree row by Twenty-first and check it out.

All by yourself? Erik said. Yes, all by myself, Stevie Rae snapped. Are you forgettin' I could stomp my foot right now and make the ground under you shake? I could also pick you up and toss you on your silly jealous butt. I think I can handle checkin' out those trees by myself. Beside her, Dallas laughed. And I'm thinking red vamp with an earth element affinity trumps blue drama vamp. That made Heath snort and laugh; and, predictably, Erik started to bow up again.

No! Stevie Rae said before the stupid boys started throwing punches. If y'all can't say anything nice, then just shut the heck up. Did you want me, Stevie Rae? Johnny B said, coming up to stand beside her. I saw Darius carrying that arrow kid into the abbey. He said I should find you.

Yeah, she said with relief. I want you and Heath to check out the front part of the abbey over by Lewis. Make sure those Raven Mockers really are gone. I'm on it! Johnny B said, giving Heath a pretend punch on the shoulder. Come on, quarterback, let's see what you got.

Just pay attention to the dang trees and shadowy stuff, Stevie Rae said, shaking her head as Heath ducked and dodged and struck Johnny B's shoulder with a few quick punches. No problem, Dallas said, starting to move off with a silent Erik. Make it quick, Stevie Rae called to both sets of guys. The sun'll be up soon. Y'all meet me in front of Mary's Grotto in half an hour or so. Holler loud if you find anything and we'll all come runnin'. She watched the four guys to be sure they were really going where she'd sent them, and then Stevie Rae turned and, with a sigh, started on her own mission.

Dang, talk about annoying! She loved Z more than white bread, but dealing with her BFF's boyfriends was making her feel like a toad in a tornado! She used to think Erik was the hottest guy in the world. After spending a couple of days with him, she now thought he was a big ol' pain in the butt with a super-sized ego. Heath was sweet, but he was just a human, and Z had been right to worry about him. Humans definitely died easier than vamps or even fledglings. She glanced over her shoulder, trying to catch sight of Johnny B and Heath, but the icy darkness and the trees had swallowed her and she couldn't see anyone. Not that Stevie Rae minded being by herself for a change.