Love, Demons and Afterlife

This is my first House of Night story so please read it and review. I am also doing two Twilight stories, named 'Sugar Rush Shopping Trip' and 'Karaoke with the Cullens'. You can read them too if you want :-)

(B.t.w. this story is set at the beginning of Untamed, before Kalona is released.)

ENJOY and let me know what you think :-)

Zoey's Point of View

I was walking to the dorms quietly on my own. Ever since Eric left, everyone (as in my friends) have been avoiding me. They go all quiet whenever I go past, which makes me aware that they were talking about me. The only people who communicate with me are the fledglings that put their hand over their heart and bow to me as a sign of respect. So basically everyone has been avoiding me . . .

. . . apart from Aphrodite.

When I entered the dorms my group of ex-friends stopped talking and just stared at me. I looked away from them so that they wouldn't be able to tell that I was trying not to start crying. Every time I looked over at them I felt a stab of sadness at the fact that I could no longer hang out with them because they would no longer accept me. Because they thought that I wanted to keep important stuff from them. If only they knew that I had to keep it from them because Neferet was majorly phycic and could read their minds like a book.

"Rough day, huh?" Aphrodite made me jump. She was leaning against the door to her room while checking her nails. I managed to nod and pushed the door to my room out of the way, wanting to get away from the curious ears that were listening in the dorm sitting room. I went and sat on my bed, aware that Aphrodite was following me.

"By the way, Neferet told me to tell you that you're going to lead the ritual tonight", she said, checking her makeup of the blue outline of a cresent moon on her forehead. I groaned and fell backwards onto my bed.

"Why?" I asked, closing my eyes. I'd just about had enough of Neferet.

"I don't know. Life's a cow." I opened my eyes and sat up.

"Since when did you become so nice?" She shrugged.

"It'll pass."

I sighed. I might as well tell the others about the ritual, even if they didn't trust me.

"They know", Aphrodite told me when I stood up and went to the door. I turned and gave her a questioning look. How did she know where I was going? Aphrodite pointed to herself. "Vision Girl, remember?"

"Aren't your visions supposed to be of death and distruction?"

"Yeah, and they ain't pretty." I looked at her closely. The whites of her eyes were a bit reddish and she looked a bit pale.

"Do you need something?" I asked, feeling concerned. Sure, Aphrodite could be a hateful bitch, but I knew from experience that the visions really did take a lot out of her.

"Nah, I've got some Bacardi Breezers in my mini fridge." Why did everyone apart from me have a mini fridge? I ignored that thought and kept my mind on Aphrodite.

"Are you going to tell me about the vision?" I asked instead.

"It can wait until after the ritual. I didn't see anything happening while the ritual was going on."

"Speaking of, how are we going to be able to cast a circle without the candle zapping you?" Aphrodite grinned.

"I got myself a detention." I frowned at her. "Well how would I explain? 'Oops, it looks like I've suddenly lost my earth affinity! Sorry everyone!'" Aphrodite gave me a sarcastic look.

"Okay, you've got a point."

"Of course I have." She put her hand on her hips. "Well I'm going to leave you to plan out tonight's ritual which starts in . . ." She looked at Stevie Rae's old clock and pulled a face at the cowgirl style of it. ". . . two hours; and I'm going to go off and drink a fridge-full of beer."

"Don't get too drunk - I need you to tell me about your vision after the ritual."

Aphrodite flicked her hair behind her shoulders, dismissed me with a "Whatever" and strutted off. Sometimes I didn't know how I could be friends with her. It was only a couple of months ago since we were worst enemies. I suppose it's because she's the only one who will talk to me now.

Before I could start getting uptight again about the fact that my friends no longer wanted me, I distracted myself by planning the ritual.

I had just finished when the thought struck me: Why can't Neferet just do the ritual herself? She's up to something. Something bad. As soon as the thoughts came into my head I got one of the feelings that the Goddess gives me to let me know that I'm right.

*****************************************************

When I arrived at Nyx's temple Damien and the Twins were already there. I managed to hear bits of their conversation as I approached.

". . . hanging out with Aphrodite the hag. No wonder she's changed", one of the Twins said.

"I'm thinking ditto, Twin", the other Twin said.

"I think . . ." Damien started, but he was interrupted by Jack, knocking past me.

"I'm sorry Zoey!" he apologised, looking like the Jack I knew.

"That's fine Jack", I said, giving him a warm smile. I looked at the Twins, giving them warm smiles too. They both gave me identical glares. I turned to Damien, who was looking at the floor guiltily.

"Well, we'd better get going." I tried to speak with confidence, hiding how awkward and anxious I felt. When no one responded I walked straight into the temple. I heard them start muttering again behind me.

*****************************************************

The ritual had begun and I was about to start calling the elements to me when the doors of the temple burst open and my equestrian studies teacher rushed in.

"Zoey", she spoke directly to me. "It's Aphrodite."

Please review! I want to know if you like it! I have also got a poll on my profile that you can have a go on for fun and if you're a fan of Twilight then you can read the Twilight Oath on my profile. I will update a.s.a.p., I promise! :-) Thank you. :-)