Next time you could try saying something like, Guys, shut up your bickering!' I dunno, maybe it's just me, but that makes more sense than freaking on your friends. I stifled the urge to snap back and say I'd like to see him do any better. Instead I thought about what he'd said. He might be right. I didn't feel comfortable with the fact that I'd snapped at everyone--especially since a bunch of the everyones were my friends. I'll try to do better next time, I finally said. Stark didn't gloat. He didn't turn all tough-guy?like and patronize me, either. He just rested his hands on my shoulders, squeezed, and said, The fact that you actually listen to other people is one of the things I like best about you. I could feel my cheeks get warm at his unexpected compliment. Thanks, I said softly. I ran my fingers through Persephone's cold, wet mane, liking how her ears twitched back in response.

You're a really good girl, I crooned to her. Thought you mighta noticed by now that I'm not a girl, Stark said with a cocky smile in his voice. I noticed. I laughed and the tension between us evaporated. The Twins, Johnny B, and Kramisha looked our way with tentative smiles. So, uh, you and I are okay? I asked him. You and I will always be okay. I'm your Warrior, your protector. No matter what else is going on, I'll have your back. When my throat cleared enough for me to speak, I said, Being my Warrior might not always be an easy job. He laughed, full and loud and long. He also slid his arms around my waist and said, Zoey, sometimes being your Warrior will suck royally. I was going to mention that, just perhaps, his mom sucked royally, but his arms were warm around me and his touch was soothing. So I grumbled something about him being full of bullpoopie, and let myself relax back against him.

You know, he said. If you could forget all the craziness the storm is causing, and the whole Kalona-Neferet mess, the ice really does look cool. It's almost like it's taken us out of the real world and transported us to a weird winter land. Like someplace the White Witch would really like. Oooh, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe! That was a great movie. He cleared his throat. I didn't see it. You didn't see it? My eyes widened and I glanced over my shoulder at him. You read the book? Books, he said, putting special emphasis on the plural. C. S. Lewis wrote way more than one Narnia book. You read? I read, he said. Huh, I said, feeling befuddled (as Grandma would have said). What's wrong with that? Reading's good, he said defensively. I know! It's cool you read. Actually it's hot that you read. And it was. I loved it when cute guys showed they had brains.

Really? Well, you'd definitely be interested in the fact that I just read To Kill a Mockingbird. I smiled and elbowed him. Everyone's read that. I've read it five times. Nu-uh. Yep. I can quote parts of it. That's bullpoopie. And then Stark, my big, bad, macho Warrior, raised his voice, put on a little girl's Southern drawl, and said, Uncle Jack? What's a whore-lady?' I do not think that's the most important quote from that book, I said, but laughed anyway. Okay, how about: Ain't no snot-nosed slut of a schoolteacher ever born c'n make me do nothin'!' That one's really my favorite. You got a twisted mind, James Stark. I was smiling and feeling warm and happy when we turned into the long driveway that led to the House of Night.

I was just thinking how magical it looked, all lit up and welcoming, when I noticed there was more light than usual coming from the school's backup generators and old-fashioned oil lanterns. Then I realized the light wasn't coming from any of the school buildings. Instead it was flickering from an area between Nyx's Temple and the school proper. I felt Stark tense instantly. What is that? I asked. Stop the horses, he said. Whoa. I pulled Persephone to a halt, calling for Shaunee and Johnny B to stop their horses, too. What's going on? Keep your eyes open. Be ready to ride back to the abbey. Go and go quickly if I tell you to. And don't wait for me! was all Stark said before he slid off Persephone and sprinted behind us to the Hummer. I twisted around and could see that Darius was already getting out of the Hummer as Heath took his place behind the driver's wheel.

The two warriors talked briefly, and then Darius called Erik and all the male red fledglings to him, plus Stevie Rae. I was just getting ready to head Persephone over to the Hummer when Stark jogged back to me. What is it? I asked. Something's on fire inside the school grounds. Can you tell what it's from? I asked Shaunee. Don't know, Shaunee said, wrinkling her forehead in concentration. But it feels sacred. Sacred? What the hell? Stark took Persephone's bridle to get my attention. Look under the trees. I looked to my right, to the row of Bradford pear trees that lined the lane leading to the House of Night. There were things under them--shadows within shadows of crumpled forms. My stomach felt sick when I realized what I was seeing. Raven Mockers, I said. They's dead, Kramisha said. We have to check. We have to know for sure, Stevie Rae said.