The end. Aphrodite raised one blond brow. Well, I suppose it does make sense to bring the bloodmobile with you. Even Arrow Boy over there with the mean face has to agree with that. I said the end' because I'm not going to talk about it. And don't call Heath a bloodmobile. It's really not polite, Stevie Rae said. Bite me, Aphrodite said, clearly without thinking, because the Twins automatically started to giggle. Stevie Rae isn't going with us, I broke into the Twins' hilarity. So that means when we circle, Aphrodite will be representing spirit. That shut the Twins up. Everyone stared at Stevie Rae. They might not be able to be saved, Damien said solemnly. I know, but I'm going to give it another try. Hey, do me a favor, will ya? Aphrodite said.

Would you please not get killed? Again. I'm sure that would be annoyingly uncomfortable for me. I am not gettin' killed, Stevie Rae said. Promise you won't go back there alone, Jack said. That's a promise you need to make, Stark agreed. I didn't say anything. I was no longer so cocky about knowing the only right way to do things. Fortunately, my silence wasn't noticed because just then the red fledglings made their entrance, and the entire cafeteria went from gawking at us, to gawking and whispering at them. Better make sure they're fine, Stevie Rae said. She stood up and then smiled at us. Y'all hurry and get stuff straight over there, so you can come back home over here. She hugged me, whispering, You'll do the right thing. You will, too, I whispered back. Then she moved away from me and I watched her take charge of the red fledglings (who waved at us as they got into line).

Stevie Rae was so normal acting, talking to her kids like they hadn't just stepped into the cafeteria for the first time since each of them had died, that her group instantly started to relax, ignoring the stares and whispers. She's a good leader, I said, thinking out loud. I hope that doesn't get her into trouble, Aphrodite said. I looked from Stevie Rae to her and she shrugged. Some people--especially evil, undead-dead people--can't be led. She'll do the right thing. I repeated Stevie Rae's words. Yeah, but will they? Aphrodite said. I didn't have a comeback for that, so I picked at my eggs instead. Are you guys about ready? Stark finally said. I am, I said. Everyone else nodded, and we grabbed our bags and headed to the door. Stark and I brought up the rear. Hey, Zoey. Erik's voice stopped me. Stark stayed with me, his eyes sharp on my ex-boyfriend. Hi, Erik, I said guardedly. Good luck, he said. Thanks. I was pleasantly surprised at his neutral expression and lack of Venus suckerfished to his side. Are you staying at the school and teaching drama again? Yeah, but just until they get a new professor. So if I'm not here when you get back, I just wanted you to know, that, um--he looked from Stark to me, and then finished with--that I said good luck. Oh, okay.

Well, thanks again. He nodded and walked quickly out of the cafeteria ahead of us, presumably going up to the professors' dining room. Huh. That was kinda weird, but nice of him, I said. He acts too much, Stark said, holding the door open for me. Yeah, I get that, but I'm still glad he said something nice before we left. I hate the awkward ex- boyfriend stuff. Yet another reason to be glad I'm not technically your boyfriend, Stark said. The rest of the group was several yards ahead of us, so we had an instant of privacy. I was just trying to figure out whether Stark was being borderline hateful in his not your boyfriend comment or not when he suddenly asked, Was everything okay last night? You woke me up once. Everything was fine. He hesitated and then said, You didn't bite Heath again. It wasn't a question, but I answered anyway, though my voice sounded sharper than I'd intended.

No. I was feeling fine, so I didn't need to. I'll understand if you do, though, he said. Can we not talk about this right now? Yeah, fine. We walked on a few feet and were almost to the parking lot, so he slowed down, giving us another moment of privacy. Are you mad at me? he asked. Why would I be mad at you? He lifted his shoulders. Well, first there's Aphrodite's visions. She sees you in trouble. Serious trouble. But she either sees me and I do nothing, or she doesn't see me at all. And now Heath's coming with us to Italy . . . His words just trailed off, leaving him looking frustrated. Stark, Aphrodite's visions can be changed. We've done it several times. Once for me personally. We'll change the drowning one, too. Actually, you'll probably change it. You won't let anything bad happen to me. Even though I have an issue with going outside in the sunlight? I suddenly understood one of the reasons that this threat to me was bothering him so badly--he felt like he might not be able to be there for me when I needed him.

You'll figure out how to be sure I'm safe, even if you can't be with me physically. Do you really believe that? With all my heart, I said honestly. There is no other vampyre I would ever want as my Warrior. I trust you. Always. Stark looked like about a zillion pounds had been lifted off his back. It's good to hear you say that. I stopped and faced him. I would have told you that before, but I thought you already knew it. I guess I did. In here. Stark touched the spot over his heart. But my ears needed to hear it. I stepped into his arms and pressed my face against his neck. I trust you. Always, I repeated. Thank you, my lady, he whispered as his strong arms held me close. I stepped back and smiled at him. Suddenly Kalona seemed very distant as Stark filled up my here and now. We'll figure out all this stuff, and through it all we'll be together--a Warrior and his lady. That's what I want, he said firmly. And to hell with everything else. Yep. To hell with everyone and everything else. I refused to think about Kalona. He was a maybe--a big, scary, confusing maybe. Stark was a for-sure. I took his hand and, pulling him with me . . . always with me . . . toward the Hummer, said, Come on, Warrior, let's go to Italy.