Hidden (House of Night Novels) by P. C. Cast, Kristin Cast Page A

spoken she’d blushed bright pink and turned away from Shaunee, who was looking super uncomfortable, so I gave up—temporarily—and made a mental note to light a red and blue candle for the two of them and ask Nyx to give them some extra help. If I could find the time. Hell, if Nyx could find the time.
    I stifled a sigh and kept talking. “Okay, good. So, separate into groups. Go do normal things—like get some study books and go to the library.”
    “That’s not my normal,” I heard Johnny B mutter, and a bunch of the kids around him laughed.
    I liked the sound of their laughter. It was normal.
    “Then go grab a basketball or something boy-like in the field house,” I said, not able to not grin at them.
    “I’m goin’ to the cafeteria. The kitchen at the tunnels looks like locusts been through it. Z, we need to make a run to the grocery before we head back there,” Kramisha said.
    “Yeah, well, that’s normal. Go ahead. Anyone who didn’t get to eat before we left go with her. And, guys, spread out. Don’t just eat in clumps. Talk to the other kids,” I said.
    The fledglings made noises of agreement and organized themselves, breaking into little groups around Darius, the Twins, Damien, and Kramisha. Rephaim headed off by himself. I watched his back for a little while, wondering if he’d ever really fit in, and if he didn’t what that would do to his relationship with Stevie Rae. I glanced at her. She was gazing after Rephaim, too, with a look of total adoration. I chewed my lip and continued to worry.
    “You okay, Z?” Stark’s voice was pitched low, and he put his arm around my shoulders.
    “Yeah,” I said, leaning into him for a moment. “I’m just obsessively worrying, as per usual.”
    He squeezed me. “That’s cool, as long as you don’t start bawling. The whole snot cry thing you do is seriously unattractive.”
    I punched him playfully. “I never cry.”
    “Oh, yeah, that’s right, and you never snot, either,” he said, smiling his cocky, cute grin at me.
    “I know! Amazing, right?” I teased.
    “Riiiight.” He drew the word out and kissed me on the top of my head.
    “Hey,” I said, still nestled safely in his arms. “Would you go to the stables and give Lenobia a hand? I’m going to meet with Thanatos, then I’ll come to the stables and find you.”
    He hesitated for just a moment and I felt his arms tighten around me. Stark didn’t like to separate from me, especially when crazy stuff was going on, but he nodded, said a quick, “I’ll be there, watching for you.” Then he kissed my forehead, let me go, and started off toward the stables. I shivered, chilled after the warmth of his touch. The other kids began to drift away in their groups, with Stevie Rae and Aphrodite hanging back with me.
    “I’m going with you two, but wait a sec. First I’m gonna give my mom a call. She needs to know Neferet isn’t just full of bullshit, but full of danger.”
    “Do you think she’ll listen to you?” I asked.
    “Absolutely not,” she said without hesitation. “But I’m gonna try anyway.”
    “Why don’t you just call your daddy? I mean, he’s the mayor and not your momma,” Stevie Rae said.
    “In the LaFont household Mother is boss. If there’s any chance of Mr. Mayor getting a clue about Neferet, it’ll come from her.”
    “Good luck with that,” I said.
    “Yeah, whatever,” Aphrodite said, before taking out her phone and moving away from us.
    Surprising me, Shaylin stepped away from one of the departing groups and walked to my side. “Can I come with you guys?” Her voice was soft, but she’d spoken clearly and her chin was lifted as if she was ready for a fight.
    “Why do you want to?” I asked.
    “I want to ask Thanatos about my colors. I know you guys told me to keep quiet about my gift, and I understand why. It was definitely something Neferet didn’t need to know. But she’s not High Priestess here anymore, and I have questions that I need to find