So we won't call Kalona a demon, Lenobia said. And we also won't forget he's evil, like those other kids have, Erin said. But not all of them have, I said. Those kids in the infirmary weren't under Kalona's spell, and neither are Lenobia and Dragon--neither was Anastasia. But why? What do you guys have that everyone else doesn't? We already decided that Lenobia and Dragon and Anastasia all had heightened gifts from Nyx, Damien said. Okay, so what's special about the kids that stood up to the Raven Mockers? Aphrodite said. Hanna Honeyyeager can make flowers bloom, Damien said. I stared at him. Flowers? Seriously? Yeah. Damien shrugged. She has a green thumb. I sighed. What else do we know about the kids in the infirmary? T.J. is a wicked good boxer, Erin spoke up. And Drew's an awesome wrestler, I said. But are any of these abilities true gifts? Lenobia said.

Vampyres are talented. That's the norm and not unusual at all. Does anyone know anything about that Ian Bowser kid? I asked. I just know him a little from drama class. He used to have a big crush on Professor Nolan. I know him, Erin said. He's really sweet. Okay, he's sweet, I said, feeling overwhelmed by the hopelessness of our task. The kids were nice and good at things, but being good at something didn't equal being gifted by Nyx. What about that new girl, Red? None of us know her at all. Damien glanced at Lenobia. Do you? Lenobia shook her head. No, only that she was being mentored by Anastasia, and she had become close enough to her in just a few days so that she was willing to risk her life to save her professor. Which doesn't mean there's anything special about her except that she made the right choice and-- My words broke off as I realized what I was saying.

Suddenly I was laughing. That's it! Everyone gawked at me. She's lost it, Aphrodite said. It was bound to happen sooner or later. No! I haven't lost it. I found it. Found the answer. Goddess, it's so obvious! Those kids aren't ?ber-gifted. They're just kids who made the right choice. No one said anything for several seconds, and then Damien picked up the thread of my thought. Just like in life. Nyx gives us all choices. I grinned at him. And some of us choose wisely. Some of us mess up, Stark said. Goddess! It really is obvious, Lenobia said. There's no mystery to Kalona's spell. It's all about choice, Aphrodite said. And truth, I added. It does make sense. Damien broke in. I couldn't understand why only three of our professors were able to see through Kalona. I've always thought that all of the vampyres here were special and had Goddess-given gifts.

And most are, Lenobia said. But gift or no gift, finding the truth and following the right path is always a choice. Stark spoke softly as his gaze trapped mine. That's something none of us should forget. Which could be why Nyx has brought us here. To remind us that all of her children have free choice, Lenobia said. That's my whole point with A-ya. I have the choice not to follow her path. But wouldn't that mean Kalona also has free choice, and can choose good over evil? The thoughts whirled through my mind. I pushed them away and said, Okay, so, any ideas on where we go from here? Absolutely. You follow Kalona. We come with you, Aphrodite said. When we all stared at her, she continued, Look, Kalona has proven he's evil, so let's make the choice to destroy him. Before I could say anything, Aphrodite added, It's not impossible. One of my visions showed Zoey taking him out.

Visions? Lenobia said. Aphrodite briefly recapped the two visions she'd had, leaving out the specific mention that in the not so good one I'd joined with Kalona. So when she was done, I cleared my throat, put on my big-girl panties (figuratively), and said, In the bad vision I was with Kalona. As in with him. We were lovers. But in the other vision you did something to vanquish him, Lenobia said. That was clear, even if everything else was a jumbled mess, Aphrodite said. So, like I was saying before, she has to go to him. I don't like it, Stark said. Neither do I, Lenobia said. I wish we knew more--had more details about what caused each vision to happen. Goddess! I'm a moron, I said, fishing in my pocket for the piece of paper I'd put there. I forgot all about Kramisha's poem. Ugh, so did I, Aphrodite said. I hate poetry. A fact that baffles me, my beauty, Darius said as he came into the room with Stevie Rae and Shaunee close behind.

Someone with your intelligence should enjoy it. Aphrodite gave him a sweet smile. I'd like it if you read some to me, but then again, I'd like anything you read to me. Disgusting, Shaunee said, going over to sit by Erin. Totally, Erin agreed, grinning at her twin. Good, we didn't miss the poem part, Stevie Rae said, plopping down next to me and petting Nala. I was wonderin' what Kramisha had come up with. Okay, well, I'll just read it out loud, I said, and began,