Page 69 of Lost

“Stevie Rae! Hey, we need to talk,” Stark said as he joined her at the statue. Beside Stevie Rae were two young fledglings who had just finished lighting the myriad of votive candles that flickered cheerily around the base of the Goddess. They bowed nervously but respectfully to greet Stark. “Hi, yeah, hi. Nice job with the candles and whatever. Okay, time to get to lunch. Or your next class. Basically, it’s time for you toget!” Stark waved his hand dismissively and shooed them away.

Stevie Rae watched the two fledglings scurry toward the rear entrance to the school. She scowled at Stark. “Great. You just scared ’em. Don’t you remember what it was like to be newly Marked? Those two have only been here for a week. They’re still cryin’ in their pillows at night for their mamas.”

“They’ll be fine, just like we were fine. Who’snot fineis Zoey.”

“What in the Sam Hill are you talkin’ about?”

“Have you seen her lately?” Stark fired the question at her.

“Yeah. No. I saw her for just a sec a little while ago. It was the middle of last hour, and she said she was headin’ to the depot to see if Kramisha needed any help packing. You know Kramisha’s leavin’ for Chicago tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah, yeah, I know about Kramisha. And Z said she was going to the depot? Are you sure?”

“’Course I’m sure. It wasn’t that long ago.”

“Okay, hang on.” Stark pulled his phone from his pocket and punched Kramisha’s number, putting her on speaker so Stevie Rae could hear too.

Kramisha—unlike Zoey—answered on the first ring. “What you want, Stark? I’s busy packing.”

“Sorry to bug you. Hey, is Z with you?”

“Nope.”

“Have you seen her today?”

“Nope.”

“Okay, thanks.”

“Hey, is everyth—”

Stark hung up and gave Stevie Rae a pointed look. “Zoey lied to you. She lied to me. She’s been doing that lately. Has she been talking to you at all?”

Stevie Rae hesitated before she answered. “I started to say, ‘Sure! Z’s been talkin’ to me every day.’ But when I really think about it, she hasn’t actually been sayin’ much.”

“Yeah, not since she started feeling Other Kevin using Old Magick.”

“I know she’s worried. Heck, Stark, I’m worried about Kev too.”

“The problem is I’m pretty sure it’s not just about Other Kevin.”

“You’re gonna have to give me more to go on than that. Since Z told Rephaim and me that we get to stay in T-Town I’ve been super crazy busy getting settledandfigurin’ out lesson plans for this dang Vamp Sociology class I was moronic enough to volunteer to teach. Jeesh, who knew teaching was so hard?”

“Every real teacher in the world knows that, but that’s not the point. Stevie Rae, you need to listen to me—I do not think Z is okay.”

Stevie Rae motioned for Stark to join her on an ornately carved iron bench perfectly situated near the Goddess statue.

“Now, tell me what’s stuck in your craw about Z.”

Stark blew out a long breath as he sat beside her. “She’s going to his grave. Every day. And she’s lying about it.”

Stevie Rae moved her shoulders. “That’s not real bad. I mean, Z misses Heath. We all know that, and maybe she’s not telling the truth because she doesn’t want you to feel bad. Hey, if she’s lying, how do you know where she’s going?”

“I followed her. And before you give me crap about that let me say that I only did it because I’m worried. Real worried.”

Stevie Rae held up her hands in surrender. “Hey, I’m not judging, but you do have my full attention now. Go on.”

Stark ran his fingers through his thick hair and sighed again. “So, I followed her,” he repeated. “And watched her. She sits there. On his grave. And talks to him. A lot.”