Page 35 of Lost

“The roses went back to normal.”

“What? They did? How do you know that?”

Stevie Rae grinned. “The rose garden is another of the zillion things I missed about Tulsa. Rephaim surprised me last night and we went on a walk through the gardens after we had dinner at the Wild Fork. It’s when he gave me this.” She tapped the silver necklace twinkling around her neck. Hanging from the sparkling chain was the perfect replica of the state of Oklahoma as a little charm.

“Aww, that’s pretty. I didn’t even notice it. Sorry about that.”

“Z, there’s a lot you haven’t been noticing for the past few days. I… I wish you’d let me help.”

“There’s nothing you can do. I just have to figure out a way to stop worrying about Kevin.”And thinking about Neferet—the Neferet who’s over there, in charge, and probably slaughtering zillions of innocents like she slaughtered Other Zoey!But I didn’t let my mouth speak those words aloud. If I did I was afraid I wouldn’t stop—wouldn’t stop talking about Neferet—wouldn’t stop knowing I needed to help Kevin.

And then there was Heath. Alive Heath. Other Heath, who was mourning that Other Zoey I’d watched Neferet murder.

“Just Kevin?” Stevie Rae said.

“Yes. No.”

“Uh, Z, which is it?”

“No,” I said miserably. “There’s also stupid Neferet and whatever fresh hell she’s plotting. Plus, well, Heath.” Then I forced myself to hurry on. “And my mom. She’s alive over there too. And there’s another Grandma Redbird. Can you imagine how hard she took my death?”

“Z! There you is!” Kramisha clattered up on a bright-red pair of knee-high stiletto boots. “Move over, Stevie Rae. I got lots more junk in my trunk than you skinny white girls.” She hip-bumped Stevie Rae, who slid over next to me, and we scooted to make room for Kramisha.

“Hey, I’m not white. Or at least I’m not one hundred percent white,” I said.

“Sorry. Forgot you got you some brown in there, Z. Your butt’s still skinny, though.”

“I like your new boots,” Stevie Rae said. “They’re the exact color of your wig. How do you do that?”

“Talent. Pure talent. And, girl, these ain’t new boots. But this catsuit is. What do ya think? Meow!” She pretend-hissed at Stevie Rae, who giggled.

“Kramisha, I love you! And I missed you like I missed T-Town,” said Stevie Rae.

“You gonna love me even more in just a sec. Z, I want to go to Chicago.”

“Huh?” I said. “But you’ve barely started the redo on the Depot Restaurant.”

“Look, we all know Damien and Other Jack can do a better job with this redo than me. Z,they gay. And they called in more gays.”

I rolled my eyes. “Kramisha, that’s a terrible stereotype.”

“Tell me it ain’t true and I’ll shut my face.” She paused, and when I didn’t say anything because, well, Damien and Other Jack and Toby, the OKEQ director,wereall super awesome at interior design, she continued. “Where was I? Oh, yeah.” Kramisha turned to Stevie Rae. “Do you wanna go back to Chicago?”

“Well, um, not really, not permanently, but Z and I already talked about me returning to Tulsa for good as soon as I get things settled at the Chicago House of Night.”

“Settled meaning pick your replacement?” Kramisha asked.

“Yeah, I guess. Right, Z?”

“Sure. Unless you already have someone in mind, like Damien did,” I said.

“I wish I did, but I don’t. There’re a few High Priestesses who have potential, but no one who stands out,” said Stevie Rae.

“I’ll do that,” Kramisha said.

“Do what? You’re confusing the crap outta me, Kramisha. Just tell me the bottom line,” I said.

“Fine. The bottom line is I can’t go back to that depot. Not now. I need me some time. I… I still hear them screaming.” Kramisha paused and brushed a few bright red strands of hair from her face with a trembling hand. “Stevie Rae’s a red vamp High Priestess. She and Rephaim fit good at the depot. The fledglings like them, which I think is kinda weird, ’cause he’s a bird part of the time, but whatever. I don’t like to judge.” She shrugged. “And you know I can organize the shit outta stuff. I’ll go to Chicago and get it organized and settled, and when that’s done maybe the screaming I hear at night will be done too, and I can come home for good,” Kramisha finished in a rush.