Tempted

be the next Vampyre High Priestess. Should you hold that title, you must be wise enough to deal with all types of controversy, even those involving yourself.” Duantia looked from Neferet to Kalona. “What say you about Zoey’s speech?”
    I could feel him looking at me, but I kept my eyes steadily on Duantia.
    “I say that she believes she is speaking the truth. And I do admit that my past has been violent. I have never claimed infallibility, either. I have recently found my path, though, and within that path there is Nyx.”
    There was no way I couldn’t hear the truth that rang in his words. Unable to stop myself, my eyes were drawn to him.
    “My experiences are why I feel so strongly about bringing back the old ways, where once vampyres and their Warriors strode the earth, proud and strong, instead of hiding in clusters of schools and only letting our young outside our gates if they have their Marks covered, as if the Goddess’s crescent is something of which they should be ashamed. Vampyres are Nyx’s children, and the Goddess never meant for you to cower in darkness. Let us all step into the light!”
    He was magnificent. As he spoke, his wings had begun to unfurl. His voice was filled with passion. Everyone stared at him. Mesmerized by his beauty and passion, we all wanted to believe in his world.
    “And when you’re ready to be led by Nyx Incarnate and her consort Erebus, then we will bring the ancient ways to life again, so that we may all stand proud and strong—and not bow to human bondage andprejudice,” Neferet said, looking glorious beside him as she wrapped her arm possessively through his. “Until then, listen to the whining of children as Erebus and I reclaim Capri from those who have inter-loped on our ancient home too long.”
    “Neferet, the Council will not sanction war against humans. You cannot force them from their homes on the island,” Duantia said.
    “War?” Neferet laughed, sounding shocked and amused. “Duantia, I
purchased
Nyx’s Castle from the elderly human who had allowed it to fall into disrepair. Had any one of you on the Council checked, we could have regained our ancient home at any time during the past two decades.” Neferet’s green eyes swept around the chamber. Intense and appealing in her passion, she captivated the audience as she spoke. “It was there that vampyres founded the beauty of Pompeii. It was there that vampyres ruled the Amalfi Coast, ushering in centuries of prosperity with their wisdom and benevolence. It is there that you will find the heart and soul of Nyx and the richness of the life she wishes for her people. And it is there that you will find Erebus and me. Join us if you dare to live again!”
    She turned and, in a swirl of silk, swept out of the chamber. Before following her, Kalona bowed respectfully to the Council, his fist over his heart. Then he looked at me and said, “Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.”
    When they left the chamber utter pandemonium was loosed. Everyone spoke at once, some clearly wanting to call Neferet and Kalona back—some indignant that they’d left. No one—not one vampyre—spoke against them. And whenever his name was spoken, they called him Erebus.
    “They believe him,” Stark said.
    I nodded.
    He gave me a sharp look. “Do
you
believe him?”
    I opened my mouth, not sure how I was going to explain to my Warrior it wasn’t so much that I believed in Kalona, but that I was beginning to believe in what he once had been and might become again.
    Duantia’s voice echoed through the chamber, silencing everyone. “Enough! This chamber will be cleared immediately. We will notdisintegrate into chaotic rabble.” Warriors seemed to materialize from the crowd, and the still animated vampyres began leaving.
    “Zoey Redbird, we would speak with you tomorrow. Bring your circle here at dusk. We understand the fledgling-turned-human prophetess has experienced the trauma of a broken Imprint today. If she has recovered enough, we would have her join your group tomorrow.”
    “Yes, ma’am,” I said.
    Stark and I made a hasty exit. Damien motioned us over to a little side garden that was tucked just off the main path where the rest of the kids were waiting for us.
    “What happened in there?” Damien didn’t pause before getting right to it. “It sounded like you believed the stuff about Kalona falling from Nyx’s side.”
    “I had to tell them the truth.” I drew a deep breath and told my