it is the natural order of things. Tears burned in the back of my throat. Grandma's constant love, no matter how vampyre- monster?like and weird my life had become, was the foundation of my whole world. I love you, Grandma, I choked out. And I you, u-we-tsi-a-ge-ya. Do not fret about an old woman. Focus on your task at hand. I'll be here when you have won your battle. You sound so sure I will. I am sure of you, u-we-tsi-a-ge-ya, and sure you have your Goddess's favor. Grandma, I had a really weird dream about Kalona. I lowered my voice, even though I'd walked away from where the rest of the kids were waiting by the gate for our plane to be ready to board.
I saw that Kalona hasn't always been evil. He used to be Nyx's Warrior. Grandma was silent for several long moments. Finally she said, This sounds more like a vision than a dream. I could feel the rightness of what she was saying. A vision! So does that mean it's true? Not necessarily, though it does give what you saw more importance than a simple dream. Did it seem truthful? I chewed my lip, then admitted, Yes, it felt like what I was seeing was the truth. Remember to temper feelings with common sense. Listen to your heart, mind, and soul. I'm trying. Weigh your feelings with logic and reason through them. You are not A-ya. You are Zoey Redbird, and you have free will. If it becomes too overwhelming, look to your friends, especially Heath and Stark. They are connected to you, to Zoey, and not the ghost of an ancient Cherokee maiden.
You're right, Grandma. I'll remember. I'm me, and that's not going to change. Zo! Plane's boarding! Heath called. I gotta go, Grandma. I love you! My love goes with you, u-we-tsi-a-ge-ya. I got on the plane feeling renewed by my grandma's love. She was right. I needed to balance what I knew about Kalona and what I thought I might know about him. My positive attitude was reinforced by the cool jet we were getting to fly in. It was all like first class with huge leather seats that lay all the way back and super-thick window coverings, which I immediately went around and pulled down. The sun's not out there right now, dork, Aphrodite said. I'm just taking care of this right now in case any of you forget--I made air quotes around the word--to close them later. I'm not going to burn up your Warrior, Aphrodite said. Then my Warrior would have way too much to do.
I will never be too busy for you, Darius said, taking the seat beside her and lifting the arm that separated them so they could snuggle. Barf, Erin said. Moving to the back of the plane so we don't get Aphrodite sick, Shaunee said. Is there a beverage service on this plane? Damien asked. I hope so. I could use some brown pop, I said, loving that everyone was sounding as normal as I was suddenly feeling. Lenobia said we'd be on our own on this flight, but I would bet you could forage around after we get airborne and find something to drink, Darius said. I know where they keep the pop, Stark said. This is the plane that flew me from Chicago to here. I'll get you some as soon as we take off. Then he gestured to the empty seat next to him. Sit by me? Hey, Zo! Heath called from farther back in the plane. I saved you a seat back here. I sighed.
You know what, I think I'm going to sit over here by myself and just try to sleep. Jet lag is a killer, I said, choosing a seat midway between Heath and Stark. I'm taking a Xanax. I know how to fly, Aphrodite said. I'll be ready to hit the stores the second we touch down in Venetia. Stores? Shaunee called. Shopping? Erin said. Perhaps we should reconnoiter with Aphrodikey, Shaunee said. Excellent idea, Twin, Erin agreed. I smiled to myself as the Twins moved up to seats across from Aphrodite, who sneered at them, but launched quickly into an enthusiastic list of the shopping possibilities in Venice. Here. Stark handed me a blanket and a pillow.
It gets cold in planes sometimes, especially when you're trying to sleep. Thanks, I said. I wanted to tell him that I would like to curl up with him, but that