Nyx in the House of Night

night sky—especially those focused on the moon and stars. This is reflected in the House of Night series in a number of ways: for example, the sapphire-blue crescent moon that appears on each vampyre fledgling’s forehead to show that he or she has been Marked. In Hunted , after the battle is won (at least temporarily), we are left with the following scene: “The clouds had completely dissipated, leaving the sky clear to expose a brilliant crescent moon that shone so bright it burned away any lingering confusion and sadness.” Imagery of the moon—especially the crescent moon—is often used in the House of Night books and provides a powerful visual symbol. Readers are never allowed to forget who is ever-present throughout the dark and often deadly events of these books.
    Speaking of “dark” events, the concept of “darkness” in the House of Night series is a complicated one. The word itself can refer to literal darkness or the metaphorical kind—evil. And as Nyx tells Zoey way back in Marked : “Darkness does not always equate to evil, just as light does not always bring good.” Sister Mary Angela echoes this idea during the final battle in Hunted , when she senses the very real (metaphorical) darkness radiating from Neferet. The fallen High Priestess is quick to remind the nun: “Of course you sense darkness from me. My Goddess is Night personified!” To which Sister Mary Angela calmly replies, “No, I am acquainted with Nyx, and though she personifies Night, she doesn’t traffic with darkness.” Think, too, of the black and white bulls used in later House of Night books to represent the ultimate battle between Light and Darkness (Light is represented by the black bull, and Darkness by the white). In the House of Night series, things are not always what they seem.
    Darkness is present in the House of Night series in yet another way: Erebus, the Greek personification of Darkness. It is Erebus who is the significant “other” in the Goddess’ life—not, as I might originally have expected, Nyx’s daughter, Day. Though he has yet to appear in the series (despite Neferet’s bogus claims that Kalona is Erebus reborn), he casts a shadowy presence over the characters’ lives. Zoey first learns of Erebus during her introductory classes at the House of Night when Neferet teaches her students that “Nyx has a consort, the god Erebus, to whom she is devoted.” These words come back to haunt Zoey and her friends later on, when Neferet tries to convince the vampyres that Kalona—the fallen immortal—is really Erebus returned to the world.
    Erebus also makes an indirect appearance in the series through a group called the Sons of Erebus, whom me meet in the third book, Chosen . These are fierce vampyre warriors sworn to protect the House of Night and all within its walls. They dress entirely in black and are deeply devoted to Nyx, and through the character of Darius—who later becomes Aphrodite’s personal Warrior and protector—we learn just how loyal the Sons can be. When he meets Zoey, he says: “The Sons of Erebus will protect Nyx’s school with our last breath.” This is spoken as simple fact but becomes more of a prophecy later on, when some of the Sons of Erebus die trying to protect the House from Kalona and Neferet.
    Much of the mythology surrounding Nyx and Erebus (or Erebos, as he is sometimes known) is sketchy, at best. You have to dig a little deeper and read tales of other gods and goddesses in order to glean any useful information. Most of the stories recount that Nyx and Erebus were brother and sister—both born of Chaos, with Nyx as the elder of the two—and yet Erebus was also Nyx’s faithful consort, bringing many of her children into the world with her, including (according to Hesiod’s Theogony ) Day and Light. It seems particularly symbolic that the deities representing Night and Darkness should bring Day and Light into the world; this seeming paradox holds the seed of much of the dramatic tension in myths and folklore throughout the world—and this duality is certainly exploited in the House of Night series.
    Erebus’ absence from the series makes him an appropriately shadowy figure in another way. Some versions of his story say he is the God of Shadow, rather than simply the God of Darkness, lending him a slightly more sinister feel. He may even have resided in the Underworld—the land of the dead. But regardless of his roots, he is yet another thing that allows