“Because vampyres are the most beautiful, talented, richest beings on earth. And out of all of the vampyres you are the only one who has ever wanted to be our goddess.”
Amber, the fire girl, added, “Yeah, and even though we weren’t Marked we want part of that.”
Vanessa nodded and the other four mirrored her. “Seriously. We deserve part of that.”
“Why?” Neferet repeated her question. This time she sounded truly curious.
“Because we’re the same,” Vanessa said.
In the green earth cloak, Jordan said, “Uh-huh, we’re beautiful and talented and rich. Like you.”
“That’s right,” Vanessa said. “And we’re tired of people who clutter up our world and whine about everything.”
“Right?” said the girl wearing water blue. “It’s the twenty-first century. Stop whining about your issues. Racism is, like, over. If you can’t get a clue, go back to where you came from and get a friggin’ life.”
Lynette did smile then, though she made no sound. She knew exactly what kind of women they were. Had they been from her Tulsa she probably would have recognized several of them. She would’ve definitely known their mothers—and/or their replacement younger-model stepmothers.
“Tell me, Vanessa, are there more of you?” Neferet asked.
“You mean Dark Sisters?” Vanessa said.
“Yes, of course that is what I mean.”
Vanessa shook her head and looked smug. “Oh. No. We wanted our group to be exclusive.”
Jenna in the yellow air cloak added, “But we have friends who would love to join our group. As soon as we tell them that you’ve escaped and—”
Neferet’s lifted hand silenced her. “But you are incorrect. I am Neferet—sacred and powerful.”
Lynette noted she didn’t name herself goddess to them.
She continued. “But I am not the Neferet of your world. I crossed the veil between worlds to be here, before you.”
“Oh, my goddess !” Vanessa gasped. “You’re here to break our Neferet out of jail.”
“I am, indeed. Will you help me?” As they sputtered to answer her, Neferet lifted her hand, silencing them again. “You should first know what I will ask of you before you agree, and if you cannot give it to me, then we shall simply part ways here.”
Lynette readied herself. There was absolutely no way Neferet was going to allow those girls to walk away and spread rumors about her. The moment she told them that she was from another world and here to help their Neferet escape, their death warrants had been signed and sealed.
Lynette tried to tell herself it didn’t matter. That the lives of five frivolous, entitled young women weren’t worth risking their mission, but she couldn’t help wishing that she and Neferet were back at Balmacara Mains, sitting before the fireplace, with the aroma of Mrs. Muir’s freshly baked bread wafting around them.
The five women were watching Neferet with expressions so eager that Lynette almost began to relax. Almost.
Neferet continued. “I will need you to swear to absolute secrecy about my presence in your world. By speaking you could upset the very nature of the universe.”
The five started to nod, but once again Neferet cut them off.
“My handmaid and I will need somewhere close to stay. I would prefer that the facility befit my status. I will need money and transportation as well as other things—elements for the spell I will cast to break the seal that entombs your goddess. I will need willing, attractive feeders who also must be sworn to secrecy, or are disposable.” Neferet’s voice changed as she spoke the end of the sentence, leaving no doubt that disposable was synonymous with killable. “And, finally, I will need information. As I said, I am not from your world. In order to create the perfect spell to loose your goddess, I must learn everything I can about how she was able to be imprisoned.”
“Vampyres did it—not us!” the air girl, Jenna blurted.
“Well, yes, of course,” said Neferet. “But I need details.”
“Details are easy to get,” said Vanessa. “The House of Night’s new High Priestess, Zoey Redbird, is super open about everything.”
Amber nodded and her long, blond hair bounced around her shoulders. “Yeah, she even lets humans roam around on the House of Night campus. If we can’t answer your questions, it’ll be real easy for us to get the answers for you.”
“Then, do you agree to my terms?” Neferet asked.
The five girls shared a look, then Vanessa turned back to Neferet. She cleared her throat and said, “Um, if we say yes, do you promise that you really are here to release our Neferet?”
Lynette didn’t have to see the dark tendrils that were Neferet’s children to feel them reflecting their mistress’s irritation, but the vampyre appeared calm when she answered the girl.
“Vanessa, I give you my oath that I am here to release your Neferet from the vile prison that is trapping her.”
“Ohmygod, yeah!” Vanessa almost squealed as she bounced up and down on the balls of her feet like an overgrown cheerleader. “Then, hell yes, we promise to help you! You’re gonna love our house. We’re all seniors at TU, but our place is closer to here than campus—like, within walking distance of here.”
Jenna’s face scrunched unattractively. “The neighborhood around TU isn’t the greatest.”
“Right, so my dad bought us a house in Maple Ridge,” said Vanessa. “It’s practically our own House of Night.”
Neferet glanced at Lynette and, for the first time, the girls noticed her. “Maple Ridge—do you know it?”
“Of course. It’s a historic neighborhood not far from here,” she said.
“Wait. Who is that?” Vanessa asked, staring at Lynette.
“This is Lynette. She is my handmaid,” Neferet said, gesturing gracefully to Lynette, who nodded slightly at the girls.
Vanessa was already looking away from Lynette dismissively as she spoke. “You mean maid, like servant?”
“Servant?” Neferet said. “No. A handmaid is …” the vampyre paused, searching for the correct analogy. “A high-level assistant.” As she spoke she turned to Lynette and winked. Quickly.
“Yes, my lady. Exactly,” Lynette said, curtsying low.
“Oh. I get it,” Vanessa said without looking at Lynette.
“And the five of you live in this home alone?” Neferet asked.
Vanessa nodded. “Totally! Well, I mean, Juanita comes in to clean twice a week—or more often if we, like, have a party and need her.”