She had stepped up with the red fledgling males and Erik. That we will, Darius said. Then, pulling a knife for each of his hands from inside his leather jacket, he told Stark, Stay with Zoey. Nodding to Stevie Rae and Erik to follow him, he started toward the trees. It didn't take long. Dead, he called, after pausing by each one. When the group rejoined us, I couldn't help but notice how white Stevie Rae's face looked. You okay? I asked her. She looked up at me, her eyes more than a little startled. Yeah, she said quickly. Fine. It's just . . . Her voice trailed off and her gaze went back to the grisly lumps under the trees. It's 'cause they smell bad. Kramisha said. We all looked at her. Well, it's true. Them Raven Mockers have something nasty in they blood. Their blood does smell wrong. I know because I had to clean it up from where Darius had shot some of them down from the sky back at the abbey, Stevie Rae spoke quickly, like the subject made her uncomfortable.

That's what I smelled on you! I was relieved I'd finally identified the odd scent. Everyone needs to focus on the here and now, Darius said. We don't know what's happening in there. He motioned toward the school grounds and the flickering flames that were illuminating its heart. What is that? Is the school really on fire? Stevie Rae spoke our thoughts aloud. I can tell you what it is. The voice startled all of us except the three horses we rode, which should have clued me in instantly to who was standing in the shadows on the field house side of the lane. It is a funeral pyre, said Lenobia, Professor of Equestrian Studies, and one of the few adult vamps who had stood by us after Kalona and Neferet had taken over the school. She went straight to the horses, greeting them, checking them, and generally ignoring us until she was sure they were okay.

Finally, looking up from caressing Persephone's muzzle she said, Merry meet, Zoey. Merry meet, I responded automatically. Did you kill him? I shook my head. We chased him away. Kramisha's poem was right. When the five of us joined, we were able to banish him with love. But whose-- Is Neferet dead or just fled with him? she interrupted my question. Fled. Whose funeral is the pyre for? I couldn't wait any longer to ask. Lenobia's beautiful blue-gray eyes met mine. Anastasia Lankford lost her life. The last act Kalona's favorite son, Rephaim, did before he called his brothers with him to follow you to the abbey was to slit her throat.

Chapter Twenty-two

I heard Stevie Rae's horrified gasp echoed by everyone surrounding us, but Darius didn't hesitate. Are there any Raven Mockers left alive here? None. May their souls rot eternally in the deepest depths of the Otherworld, Lenobia said bitterly. Did anyone else die? I asked. No, though there are several wounded. They've filled the infirmary. Neferet was our only real healer, and now that she . . . Lenobia's voice trailed off. Then Zoey needs to get to the wounded, Stark said. Lenobia and I wrinkled our foreheads questioningly at him. Me? But I'm-- You're the closest thing we have to a High Priestess. If there are hurt fledglings and vampyres at the House of Night, they need their High Priestess, Stark said simply.

Especially if she has an affinity for spirit. You could definitely help soothe the wounded, Darius added. You are correct, of course, Lenobia said, brushing her long white-blond hair back from her face. I'm sorry. Stasia's death has taken a toll on me. I'm not thinking clearly. She smiled at me, but it was really more of a grimace of upturned lips than a true smile. Your help is welcome and needed, Zoey. I'll do whatever I can. I put pretend confidence in my voice, but the truth was, just the thought of hurt people was making my stomach sick. We'll all help out. Stevie Rae spoke up. If one affinity can help, maybe five can help times five.

Perhaps, Lenobia said, still looking defeated and sad. It'll bring hope back in. I glanced down in surprise to see Aphrodite move to Darius's side and wrap her arm through his. Lenobia gave her a skeptical look. I think you'll see things have changed at the House of Night, Aphrodite. That's okay. We're getting good with change, Aphrodite said. Yeah, change is almost our same, Kramisha said. Several of the other kids made sounds of agreement. I was so proud of them I almost burst into tears. I think we're all ready to be home, I said. Home. Lenobia repeated the word in a sad, soft voice. Then follow me into what home has become. She turned, made a clucking sound, and, as one, the three horses followed her without any direction from us. From the main entrance of the school we moved through the parking lot, which was where Darius motioned for Heath to park the Hummer, and we all paused to dismount and regroup.

The edge of the professor's building and the infirmary blocked our view of the center of the school grounds so, eerily, all we could see were the dancing shadows made by the flames. Except for the crackling of fire consuming wood, the school was absolutely silent. It's bad, Shaunee said softly. What do you mean? I asked. I can feel sadness through the flames. It's bad, she repeated. Shaunee is correct, Lenobia said. I'll take the horses to the stable. Do you want to come with me, or would you rather . . . Her voice faded as her gaze was drawn to the flickering shadows the firelight cast against the boughs of the ancient oaks that grew throughout the center of the school grounds. We'll go in there, I said, motioning toward the heart of the school. Might as well face it. I'll follow as soon as the horses are cared for, Lenobia said.