He put his arm around me and I leaned against him, hoping that the warmth of his touch could wipe away the memory of Kalona's cold passion. He does it on purpose, you know? I didn't have to ask. I knew he was talking about Kalona. Stark kept talking. It's not real--the stuff he makes you feel. That's what he does. He finds a person's weakness and he uses it. Stark paused, and I could tell there was more he wanted to say. I didn't want to hear it. I wanted to curl up, and in the safety of my Warrior's arms, I wanted to sleep and forget. But I couldn't. Not after A-ya's memory. Not after Aphrodite's visions. Go on, I said. What else? His arm tightened around me. Kalona knows your weakness is the connection you have with that Cherokee girl who trapped him. A-ya, I said. Yeah, A-ya. He'll use her against you. I know. I could feel his hesitation, but finally Stark said, You want him--Kalona, I mean.

He makes you want him. You fight against it, but he gets to you. My stomach squeezed and I wanted to be sick, but I answered Stark honestly. I know and it scares me. Zoey, I believe you'll keep saying no to him, but if you ever give in, you can count on me to be there. I'll stand between you and Kalona, even if it's the last thing I do. I laid my head on his shoulder, remembering all too well that Aphrodite hadn't said anything about Stark being in either of her visions. He turned his head and kissed me softly on the forehead. Oh, by the way, nice nightgown. A little bubble of unexpected laughter escaped me. If you weren't hurt I'd smack you. He gave me his cocky grin. Hey, I like it. Makes me think I'm in bed with a bad little Catholic schoolgirl from one of those twisted all-girl prep schools. Want to tell me about the naked pillow fights you and your roommates used to have? I rolled my eyes at him.

Uh, maybe later when you haven't just almost died. Okay, cool. I'm too tired to do any impressive proving anyway. Stark, why don't you drink from me? Just a little, I hurried on when he started to protest. Look, Kalona isn't here. Actually, from my dream it's pretty clear that he's far away, since there aren't any islands anywhere close to Oklahoma. You don't know where he is. He could have been making you see him as being anywhere in your dream. No, he's on an island. As I spoke I felt the truth of my guess. He needed to go to an island to recharge. Do you have a clue where that might be? Did you ever hear him talking about an island with Neferet? Stark shook his head. Nope. He never said anything about it around me, but the fact that it's an island tells us you hurt him. Bad. Which means I'm safe right now, which also means it's okay for you to drink from me.

No, he said firmly. You don't want to? Don't be insane! I want to, but I can't. We can't. Not right now. Look, you need my blood and my energy, or spirit, or whatever, to get better. I lifted my chin so he had a clear view of my jugular. So, go ahead. Bite me. I closed my eyes and held my breath. Stark laughed, which had my eyes popping open to see him chuckling while he clutched painfully at his chest, wheezed, and then laughed some more. I frowned at him. What is so funny? Stark managed to control himself enough to say, It's just that you look like something out of an old Dracula movie. You should be asking if I vant to suck yur blood. He made a creepy face and bared his teeth. I felt my cheeks burning and pulled away from him. Never mind. Forget I even mentioned it. Let's just go to sleep, 'kay? I started to roll over, but he caught my shoulder and turned me back to him.

Hang on, hang on--I'm messing this up. He was suddenly serious. Zoey. Stark touched my cheek. I'm not drinking from you, because I can't. Not because I don't want to. Yeah, I heard you before. I was still embarrassed and tried to turn my head, but he forced me to meet his gaze. Hey, I'm sorry. His voice had gone deep and sexy. I shouldn't have laughed at you. I should have just told you the truth, but I'm new to being a warrior. It's gonna take me a little while to get it right. His thumb caressed my cheekbone, following the line of my tattoos. I should have told you that the only thing I want more than a taste of your blood is to know that you're safe and strong. He kissed me. Plus, I don't need to drink from you, because I know that I'm going to be okay. He brushed his lips against mine. Want to know how I know that? Uh-huh, I murmured.

I know because your safety is my strength, Zoey. Go to sleep now. I'm here. He lay back, settling me against his side. Just before my eyes fluttered shut I whispered, If someone tries to wake me up, would you please kill them? Stark chuckled. Anything for you, my lady. Good. I closed my eyes and fell asleep with my Warrior holding me tightly and keeping me safe from dreams and ghosts of the past.

Chapter Fifteen