Awakened

holding your communication because they are cognizant that you are still grieving deeply for your lost mate.”
    Dragon’s face paled, but his blue eyes hardened. “I did not lose Anastasia. She was taken from me. Murdered by a creature who was the creation of your Consort, acting under his command.”
    “I understand how your grief can taint judgment, but you need to know that Rephaim and the other Raven Mockers were not under orders to harm anyone. On the contrary, they were commanded to protect. When Zoey and her friends set the House of Night afire and stole our horses, they took that as an attack. They simply reacted.”
    Stevie Rae and Lenobia shared a quick look that telegraphed don’t let them know who was in on what, and Stevie Rae kept her mouth shut, refusing to give up Lenobia’s part in Zoey’s “escape.”
    “They killed my mate,” Dragon said, pulling everyone’s attention to him.
    “And for that I will be eternally sorry,” Neferet said. “Anastasia was a good friend to me.”
    “You chased Zoey and Darius and the rest of the gang,” Stevie Rae said. “You threatened us. You commanded Stark to shoot Zoey. How do you excuse all of that?”
    Neferet’s beautiful face seemed to crumple. She leaned on the table, and sobbed softly. “I know … I know. I was weak. I let the winged immortal taint my mind. He said Zoey had to be destroyed, and because I believed he was Erebus Incarnate, I also believed him.”
    “Oh, that’s just a bunch of bull,” Stevie Rae said.
    Neferet’s emerald eyes skewered her. “Have you never cared for someone, only to find out later that he was truly a monster in disguise?”
    Stevie Rae felt all the blood drain from her face. She answered the only way she knew how—with the truth. “In my life, monsters don’t disguise themselves.”
    “You did not answer my question, young Priestess.”
    Stevie Rae lifted her chin. “I’ll answer your question. No, I’ve never cared for someone and not known what he was from the beginning. And if you’re talkin’ ’bout Dallas, I knew he might have issues, but I never expected him to turn to Darkness and go all crazy.”
    Neferet’s smile was sly. “Yes, I heard about Dallas. So sad … so sad.”
    “Neferet, I still need to understand the ruling of the High Council. As Sword Master and Leader of the Sons of Erebus at this House of Night, I am entitled to be kept informed regarding anything that might compromise the security of our school, whether I am in mourning or not,” Dragon said, looking pale but determined.
    “You are quite right, Sword Master. It is really very simple. When the immortal’s soul returned to his body, he confessed to me that he killed the human boy because he thought Heath’s hatred for me was a threat.” Neferet shook her head, looking sad and contrite. “The poor child had somehow convinced himself that I was to blame for the deaths of Professor Nolan and Loren Blake. Kalona believed that by executing Heath, he was protecting me.” She shook her head. “He had been apart from this world for too long. He truly did not understand the human could pose no threat to me. His action in executing Heath was simply a misguided Warrior protecting his High Priestess, which is why the High Council and I have been so merciful in his punishment. As some of you are already aware, Kalona was flogged one hundred strokes and then banished from vampyre society and my side for one full century.”
    There was a long stretch of silence, then Penthasilea said, “It seems like this entire debacle has been one tragic misunderstanding after another, but surely we have all paid enough for what has happened in the past. What is important now is that the school reconvene and we all get on with our lives.”
    “I bow to your wisdom and experience, Professor Penthasilea,” Neferet said, inclining her head respectfully. Then she turned to face Dragon. “This has, indeed, been a difficult time for many of us, but you have paid the greatest price, Sword Master. So it is you I must look to for absolution for my mistakes, both personal and professional. Can you possibly lead the House of Night into a new era, creating a Phoenix from the ashes of our heartache?”
    Stevie Rae wanted to scream at Dragon that Neferet was fooling them all—that what had happened at the House of Night wasn’t a tragic mistake, it was a tragic misuse of power by Neferet and Kalona. But her heart sank as she watched Dragon bow