Tempted

paths.”
    Stevie Rae’s voice was soft with understanding, but no less insistent. “That could be true, Z, but you have to remember it’s happened because of Kalona—well, him along with Neferet.”
    “What’s
true
is that Kalona is bad shit, and Zoey has to deal with him once and for all,” Aphrodite said.
    My eggs suddenly looked less tasty.
    We were all squished around the booth, eating and trying to pretend like people weren’t killing us with their eyes, when Stark joined us. He looked tired, and when his gaze met mine, I recognized the sadness in his eyes. I’d seen it mirrored in Kalona’s eyes as he spoke of Nyx.
Stark believes he’s failed me
.
    I smiled at him, wanting to wipe the worry from his face. “Hi,” I said softly.
    “Hi,” he said.
    Then we realized our table, as well as the entire room, was watching and listening to us. Stark cleared his throat, pulled up a chair, lowered his voice, and said, “Darius and Lenobia are already at the airport. I’m driving you guys in the Hummer.” He glanced around, and I saw some of the tightness in his face relax. “So, I’m guessing you sent Heath home?”
    “To get his passport,” Stevie Rae proclaimed.
    That, of course, caused a mini-uproar at our table. I sighed and waited for the storm to subside. When everyone finally shut up, I said, “Yes, Heath’s coming with us. The end.”
    Aphrodite raised one blond brow. “Well, I suppose it does make sense to bring the bloodmobile with you. Even Arrow Boy over there with the mean face has to agree with that.”
    “I said ‘the end’ because I’m not going to talk about it. And don’t call Heath a bloodmobile.”
    “It’s really not polite,” Stevie Rae said.
    “Bite me,” Aphrodite said, clearly without thinking, because the Twins automatically started to giggle.
    “Stevie Rae isn’t going with us,” I broke into the Twins’ hilarity. “So that means when we circle, Aphrodite will be representing spirit.”
    That shut the Twins up. Everyone stared at Stevie Rae.
    “They might not be able to be saved,” Damien said solemnly.
    “I know, but I’m going to give it another try.”
    “Hey, do me a favor, will ya?” Aphrodite said. “Would you please
not
get killed? Again. I’m sure that would be annoyingly uncomfortable for me.”
    “I am not gettin’ killed,” Stevie Rae said.
    “Promise you won’t go back there alone,” Jack said.
    “That’s a promise you need to make,” Stark agreed.
    I didn’t say anything. I was no longer so cocky about knowing the only right way to do things.
    Fortunately, my silence wasn’t noticed because just then the redfledglings made their entrance, and the entire cafeteria went from gawking at us, to gawking and whispering at them.
    “Better make sure they’re fine,” Stevie Rae said. She stood up and then smiled at us. “Y’all hurry and get stuff straight over there, so you can come back home over here.” She hugged me, whispering, “You’ll do the right thing.”
    “You will, too,” I whispered back.
    Then she moved away from me and I watched her take charge of the red fledglings (who waved at us as they got into line). Stevie Rae was so normal acting, talking to her kids like they hadn’t just stepped into the cafeteria for the first time since each of them had died, that her group instantly started to relax, ignoring the stares and whispers.
    “She’s a good leader,” I said, thinking out loud.
    “I hope that doesn’t get her into trouble,” Aphrodite said. I looked from Stevie Rae to her and she shrugged. “Some people—especially evil, undead-dead people—can’t be led.”
    “She’ll do the right thing.” I repeated Stevie Rae’s words.
    “Yeah, but will they?” Aphrodite said.
    I didn’t have a comeback for that, so I picked at my eggs instead.
    “Are you guys about ready?” Stark finally said.
    “I am,” I said.
    Everyone else nodded, and we grabbed our bags and headed to the door. Stark and I brought up the rear.
    “Hey, Zoey.”
    Erik’s voice stopped me. Stark stayed with me, his eyes sharp on my ex-boyfriend.
    “Hi, Erik,” I said guardedly.
    “Good luck,” he said.
    “Thanks.” I was pleasantly surprised at his neutral expression and lack of Venus suckerfished to his side. “Are you staying at the school and teaching drama again?”
    “Yeah, but just until they get a new professor. So if I’m not here when you get back, I just wanted you to know, that, um”—he looked from