marked by p.c. cast

Author:p.c. cast
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: young adult fiction, magic, vampires, speculative fiction, zoey (fictitious character), fantasy fiction, juvenile fiction, fantasy & magic, fiction, fantasy, horror & ghost stories, redbird, children: young adult (gr. 10-12), large print books, occult fiction, large type books, general, children's books - young adult fiction, science fiction
ISBN: 9781410410214
Publisher: Griffin
Published: 2007-05-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“That’s it.” Stevie Rae had stopped, looking uncomfortable and apologetic in front of the steps that led to a round brick building situated on a little hill overlooking the eastern part of the wall surrounding the school. Huge oaks wrapped it in darkness within darkness, so I could barely make out flickers of either gas or candles lighting up the entrance. Not one speck of light was coming from the darkened windows that were long and arched and seemed to be made of stained glass.

“Okay, well, thanks for the Tums.” I tried to sound brave. “And save a place for me. This really can’t take that long. I should be able to get done here and join you guys for dinner.”

“Don’t rush. Really. You might meet someone you

like and want to hang out. Don’t worry about it if you do. I won’t be mad and I’ll just tell Damien and the Twins that you’re reconnoitering.”

“I’m not going to become one of them, Stevie Rae.”

“I believe you,” she said, but her eyes looked suspiciously big and round.

“So I’ll see you soon.”

“‘Kay. See you soon,” she said, and started to follow the sidewalk back to the main building.

I didn’t want to watch her walk away—she looked

all forlorn and spanked puppy-like. Instead I climbed up the steps and told myself that this was going to be no big deal

—nothing worse than the time my Barbie sister talked me into going to cheerleading camp with her (I don’t know what the hell I’d been thinking). At least this fiasco wouldn’t last a week. They’ll probably cast another circle, which was actually very cool, do some unusual praying like Neferet did, and then break for dinner. That would be my cue to smile nicely and slip out. Easy-peasy.

The torches on either side of the thick wooden door

were lit by gas and not the raw flame sconces used in Nyx’s Temple. I reached my hand toward the heavy iron knocker, but, with a sound that was disturbingly like a sigh, it opened away from my touch.

“Merry meet, Zoey.”

Oh. My. God. It was Erik. He was wearing all black,

and his dark, curly hair and his insanely blue eyes reminded me of Clark Kent—well, okay, without the dorky glasses and the nerdy slicked-back hair…so…I supposed that would mean he actually reminded me (again) of Superman

—well, without the cape or tights or the big S…

Then the babble in my mind totally shut itself up

when his oil-dampened finger slid over my forehead, tracing the five points of the pentagram.

“Blessed be,” he said.

“Blessed be,” I replied, and would be eternally grateful that my voice didn’t croak or crack or squeak. Ah, man, he smelled good, but I couldn’t place what he smelled like. It wasn’t any of the tired, overused colognes guys apply by the gallon. He smelled like…he smelled like…the forest at night just after it’s rained…something earthy and clean and…

“You can come on in,” he was saying.

“Oh, uh, thanks,” I said brilliantly. I stepped inside. And then I stopped.

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