“Knock knock”
“Who’s there?”
“Me, telling you to hurry your dramatic ass outta there!” Cole shouted through the door. He might be my best mate but he is sure annoying as hell.
“Give a guy a second to get ready will ya?” I shouted back. I was standing in front of the mirror, looking at my scars. They had almost healed but were no where near ready for anyone to see. Sighing, defeated, I grabbed my sweater from the back of the door and carefully examined it. As per usual, it was perfect, no marks or loose threads; the vamps really kept a clean finger round here. My eyes caught on the goddess insignia and took my breath away. I will never refuse thanks to Nyx for what she has done for me. My thumb traced the golden threads and their soft binding relaxed the tense muscles in my fingers.
“Dude!” Cole interrupted my daydreaming “The ceremony is going to be finished by the time we get there.” I shook my head at his impatience but threw my sweater on and headed to the door.
As I walked up the steps of Nyx’s temple, a sweet, soft scent engulfed me. I breathed deeply, smothering myself in its comforting smoke, choking my lungs in its pleasant embrace. The magnificent foyer loomed ahead, accompanied by the sound of a trickling fountain and soft murmurings from the inner sanctum.
“Merry meet Erik. I trust everything is well?” she gently nudged the question at me, sensing the concern my mask covered.
“Merry meet, professor Anastasia. I promise you everything is fine,” she stared at me, disregarding my futile attempts. I scolded myself, ‘come on man, you’re an actor, get a grip!’. “Honestly, I’m fine”. She silently nodded at me and performed her piece in tonight’s ritual. As the oil drew the five-pointed star on my forehead, the dark emotions drew back from my mind and calmness swept in,
“Blessed be, Erik,” I smiled at her,
“Blessed be, Anastasia,”. With my renewed sense of tranquillity, I braced myself and stepped into the temple. The air was filled with magic, every surface glimmered in wonder and the people were joyous with anticipation. As I took my place in the circle, I searched the crowd for her face. To see it just once more would be enough for me to die happily.
“She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies…” I chuckled to myself, he’d certainly got that right. I realised who was speaking and an instant dislike spread through my body. Loren Blake.
“And that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes”Lord Byron did not deserve this man reading his legend. Neferet swooped gracefully in front of me, leading my attention to something, or rather someone across the room. Stevie Rae.
“Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies”. Which meant that next to her was…
“Welcome Nyx’s children to the Goddess’s celebration of the full moon!” Neferet’s voice boomed across the room, drawing me from my focus. The vamps chorused her, “Merry meet.”. She gracefully walked across the circle to professor Garmy, the schools wackjob Spanish teacher. As everyone turned towards the east, I realised that Zoey was exactly centre to my vision. As the incantation fell from Neferet’s lips, I could see tendrils of Zoey’s’ hair lifting in an invisible breeze. I gasped from shock. She had an affinity! People close to me looked and made sounds to show that they were peeved; T.J., on my left, nudged my shoulder. I closed my mouth but my eyes were still open in awe. Of course the Goddess had given her an affinity, her mark was less than subtle. We turned 90° and faced fire’s quarters. The candle encompassed in Penthesilea’s hands glowing warmly at the thought of being lit, but I was not concerned by its eagerness. My entire being was observing Zoey. My lips tilted at the sight of her astonished features, relaying the present events in her mind. Fire burned brightly in her eyes before the candle had even felt the touch of flame. Her cheeks flushed as she looked around her; I could practically read her thoughts, ‘is this supposed to happen?’. the terror of truth was unknowing to her. Zoey’s soft eyes dilated and became the eyes of a deer facing the barrel of a gun. Her frightened features tightened my chest. I wanted so much to rush across the circle, scoop her into my arms and comfort her. But gut instincts told me otherwise. Tonight, my mind told me, you’ll see her again tonight. And this time I will talk to her, i thought as we turned towards water in the west.
