Page 147 of Lost

32

Zoey

As Neferet’s image went blank on the video monitors, the stadium erupted in panic. Humans everywhere shot to their feet and began pushing to get to the exits. I fought to stay in my seat as people shoved around me, cursing and crying. Terrified, I looked down at the field. Heath had ripped off his helmet and was facing the OSU team. I watched in horror as he strode over to them and dropped to his knees. Then, turning so that he faced the press box, Heath raised his hand in defiance. Slowly, his OU teammates joined him, surrounded him, and did the same.

I could see the tears in the eyes of the OSU players as they followed suit. Coaches, cheerleaders, referees—they all took to their knees and held up their fists in protest.

And, just like that, the people surrounding me changed as well. The panic stopped as first one person halted and raised their fist to the sky, turning to face the press box defiantly. Then another stopped, and another, until the seas of orange and red rippled together in protest.

Neferet’s face flashed back on the video screens, only this time she didn’t look serene and beautiful. This time she looked more like the Neferet I knew too well—totally insane. Her green eyes were tinged with red and spittle flew from her lips as she shrieked at the camera.

“You will play this game or I will loose my Red Army on all of you! You have until the end of halftime intermission to decide!”

That sent a ripple of fear through the stadium, but Heath didn’t move. And the rest of the field held strong as well.

I keyed the walkie-talkie.

“Anastasia!”

“Here!”

“Call air!”

I concentrated and felt a gush of warm night air rush past me as it headed to the east, answering Anastasia’s call.

“Dragon—go!”

I paused until I felt the heat of flame, like someone had just turned on one of those outside propane heaters that restaurants like to use. Then I keyed the walkie-talkie again.

“Kev, your turn!” I shouted into the walkie-talkie, knowing he was somewhere at the top of the bleachers directly behind me.

As soon as I smelled the ocean I said, “Earth! Your turn, Stevie Rae!”

“Easy-peasy!” came her answer, followed by the scent of fresh-cut grass.

I drew a deep breath and concentrated on my intent—casting an Old Magick–ready circle.

“Spirit, I need you! Please come and complete my circle!”

The people closest to me had started to stare, so I did the only thing I could think to do. I took the sleeve of my sweatshirt and wiped off my forehead and face, exposing my adult vampyre tattoo. I smiled at the people around me.

“The Resistance is here. We’re going to help you. Spread the word. Try to stay calm.”

“But what can you do against the Red Army? They’re monsters! And if they bite us we die!”

“Look,” I pointed up and in a circular motion, following with my fingertip the glowing silver rope of light that ringed the entire stadium. “That’s my circle. We have more power than you know. Trust us. We’re here to stop Neferet for good.”

The people around me gasped. One woman stepped forward.

“Good luck. We’re counting on you,” she said. “And blessed be. My sister was Marked a long time ago. I still miss her.”

“Thank you!” I said.

“What can we do to help?” asked the man at her side.

“I need to get up there. Fast.” I pointed at the stadium seats above us and just below the press box.

The woman who’d spoken to me turned and called down the row to our right. “Jeremy! Help this young woman out, would ya, please? She needs to get up there real quick.” The woman pointed.