Revealed

nothing can bother you,” Stark said. He aimed his comment at Aphrodite, but he wasn’t even looking at her. He was watching Aurox and frowning.
    “Stark, two words: shut it,” Aphrodite said. “Oh, and two more words: jealous much?”
    Goddess, I was sick of their bickering. “Aphrodite, since you’re okay talking about your dad, I want you to come with me to Skype the High Council.” I spoke quickly before Stark could say whatever petty comment he had opened his mouth to say, whether it was to Aphrodite or Aurox. “Stevie Rae, you come with me, too.”
    “Okie dokie,” she said.
    “We better get going. Thanatos sent Aurox on a fetch mission for you, so that means you’re late,” Stark said, grabbing my wrist and sounding super douchey.
    I raised my brows at him and pulled my wrist from his grasp. “
We,
meaning Aphrodite, Stevie Rae, and I, are going right now. And yeah, I’m late because I got all caught up in a zillion petty fires that need to be stomped out around here. While we’re talking to the High Council I need
you
to be sure the red fledglings have gotten all their stuff moved into the basement, then help Darius and Damien gather everyone together to go to the funeral. I’ll meet you there.”
    “But I wanted to—”
    “To what?” I knew I was sounding like a bitch, but my patience was gone. It was obvious that what he wanted to do was to be sure he was stuck to my side if Aurox was anywhere around. “Stark, you didn’t see Neferet materialize. That’s what the High Council is going to want to hear about.”
    “I just thought you might need me to—”
    I cut him off again. “I need you to
not
argue with Aphrodite or me, and just be sure Erin’s funeral doesn’t turn into a stupid gang fight.”
    Aurox cleared his throat. “I’ll go ahead of you and let Thanatos know you will join her momentarily.”
    “Yeah, thanks Aurox,” I said absently as the kid took off, obviously glad to get away from the tension he’d accidentally caused.
    I could see that I’d embarrassed and probably even hurt Stark, but I really didn’t have the time or the energy to baby his feelings. So I didn’t say anything. Stark didn’t say anything. No one said anything. Until Stark fisted his hand over his heart, bowed formally to me, said, “It will be as you command, Priestess. I hope your conference with the High Council goes well,” and walked away, with silent Darius and Damien following him.
    “Okay, awkward,” Aphrodite said. “You know Stark is just being possessive because of the Aurox slash Heath thing. No need to hammer the kid in front of Bull Boy.”
    “I didn’t hammer him!”
    “Actually, Z, you sounded pretty mean,” Stevie Rae said.
    “Are you going to tell me you’re always super sweet to Rephaim, even when he’s annoying the crap out of you?” I said, feeling kinda sorry that I’d lost my temper at Stark, especially in front of my friends, but also still feeling annoyed at him.
    “Yeah, I can tell you that I’ve never been mean to Rephaim on purpose,” Stevie Rae said.
    “That’s probably because he’s only a boy half the time. It’s pretty tough to get mad at an effing bird. It’s gotta be like dating a dog. I’ll bet he’s happy and wiggling like he had a tail every time he comes back to see you,” Aphrodite said. “Jesus, it exhausts me just thinking about it.”
    “You, I’m used to being hateful, so I’m not gonna say anything ’bout you bein’ mean. Her, I’m not.” Stevie Rae turned her back on Aphrodite. “Is somethin’ wrong with you, Z? You’re jumpy as a cat on a hot tin roof.”
    “Elizabeth Taylor was a goddess,” Aphrodite said. “Batshit crazy, but a goddess.”
    “What are you talking about?” I said.
    “The movie. Ask Queen Damien. I’m sure he wishes he had been Elizabeth Taylor.”
    “Aphrodite, sometimes I think you’re speaking another language, but officially here’s what’s wrong with me: I’m tired of everyone bickering. I’m tired of Stark acting weird about Aurox. I’m tired of not knowing how
I’m
supposed to act around Aurox because of the Heath thing. I’m tired of people getting eaten. I’m tired of worrying about what the hell Neferet is going to do next. And I’m super effing tired of being stuck at the House of Night like a prisoner.”
    Aphrodite and Stevie Rae looked at me like I’d grown wings.
    “Damn, Z. You need to start drinking,” Aphrodite said.
    “Does Xanax work on fledglings?”