You know what, I think I'm going to sit over here by myself and just try to sleep. Jet lag is a killer, I said, choosing a seat midway between Heath and Stark. I'm taking a Xanax. I know how to fly, Aphrodite said. I'll be ready to hit the stores the second we touch down in Venetia. Stores? Shaunee called. Shopping? Erin said. Perhaps we should reconnoiter with Aphrodikey, Shaunee said. Excellent idea, Twin, Erin agreed. I smiled to myself as the Twins moved up to seats across from Aphrodite, who sneered at them, but launched quickly into an enthusiastic list of the shopping possibilities in Venice. Here. Stark handed me a blanket and a pillow.

It gets cold in planes sometimes, especially when you're trying to sleep. Thanks, I said. I wanted to tell him that I would like to curl up with him, but that I wouldn't like how that would make Heath feel (who was now in a big debate with Jack over whether Macs or PCs were better). Hey, it's okay. I understand, Stark said, lowering his voice. You're the best Warrior in the world. He smiled that cocky little grin I liked so much and kissed the top of my head. Go to sleep. I'll keep a psychic ear on your feelings. If things get weird, I'll wake you up. I'm counting on that, I said. I curled up with the blanket and pillow my Warrior had given me, and fell asleep almost before we were airborne. If I dreamed I didn't remember it.

Chapter Thirty-three

I still disagree with you, Lenobia said. But it's my decision to make, right? Stevie Rae said. It is. I just wish you would reconsider. Let me come with you. Or even Dragon--he could accompany you. Dragon is still too messed up from Anastasia's death, and you're pretty much in charge here. The way things are going, I don't think it's smart for you to leave the school right now, Stevie Rae said. Look, I'll be fine. I know them.

They're not gonna hurt me, and even if they've lost every bit of what's left of their minds and they do try to mess with me, they can't. I'll call earth and smack them around or somethin' like that. Don't worry. I've handled them before. This time I'm hopin' I can talk them into comin' back here with me. I think bein' back at the school would really help 'em. Lenobia nodded. That is logical. Return them to where they last felt normal and perhaps they can find that feeling again. That's kinda what I thought. Stevie Rae paused, and then added in a soft, sad voice, I still argue back and forth with myself sometimes. Sometimes it feels like the darkness is so close to me that I could touch it.

And I see it in my group--the ones who also found their humanity. It's not always easy for them, either. Maybe you'll always have a choice. Maybe the line between good and evil is less clear for you and your red fledglings. But does that make us bad? Or worthless? No, of course not. Then you can see why I have to go back to the depot and talk to the other kids again. I can't turn my back on them. Zoey didn't turn her back on Stark, even though he shot me--which sucked and wasn't very nice of him, by the way--but it turned out okay in the end. You will make a fine High Priestess, Stevie Rae. Stevie Rae's cheeks went all hot. I'm not really a High Priestess. I'm just all they have. No, you are a High Priestess. Trust that. Trust yourself. She smiled at Stevie Rae. So when will you return to the depot? I think I'll be sure the red fledglings here are set.

You know, get the rooms straight and get stuff for them to wear and all. Plus, they have to be put back into all their classes, which is a real pain in the butt since the classes change every semester. But I'd like to get back there tonight still. Tonight? Are you sure you shouldn't wait until tomorrow? Shouldn't you get settled here first? Well, the truth is I don't really know if we can settle here. Of course you can. The House of Night is your home. It was our home. Now we feel better resting in the earth during the day. Stevie Rae gave her nervous grin. It makes me sound like I should be in one of those stupid slasher movies, doesn't it? No, it actually makes sense. You died. When that happens to any of us, all of our bodies return to the earth. Though you were resurrected, you still have a connection with the earth we do not.

Lenobia hesitated. There is a basement under the main House of Night building, she said. It's used for storage and is not particularly habitable, but with some work . . . Maybe, Stevie Rae said. Let me see what happens with the kids at the depot. We really did like it there, and we were fixin' it up real nice, too. I don't suppose there is any reason why we couldn't bus your fledglings back and forth. Human children do it every day. Stevie Rae grinned. The big yellow limo! Lenobia laughed. Either way, we will make it work with your group. You are part of us, and this is your home. Home . . . That sounds nice, Stevie Rae said. Okay, well, I better get busy if I'm gonna make it back to the depot before it gets close to dawn. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time. I don't want you stuck there, and the forecast is for lots of Oklahoma sunshine.