Betrayed

"But what about the other people? I remember you said some­thing about some kids in the car in front of you, and that car crashed and caught on fire."

"Yeah."

I frowned at her. "Yeah, what?"

"Yeah, I was watching from your grandma's point of view and I saw a bunch of other cars crashing around me. It happened fast, though, so I couldn't really tell how many."

She didn't say anything else, and I shook my head in disgust. "What about saving them? You said little boys died!"

Aphrodite shrugged. "I told you my vision was confusing. I couldn't tell exactly where it was, and the only reason I knew when is because I saw the date and time on your grandma's dash."

"So you're just going to let the rest of those people die?"

"What do you care? Your grandma's going to be okay."

"You make me sick, Aphrodite. Do you care about anyone but yourself?"

"Whatever, Zoey. Like you're so perfect? I didn't hear you car­ing about anyone else except your grandma."

"Of course I was worried about her the most! I love her! But I don't want anyone else to die, either. And no one else is going to if I have anything to say about it. So, you need to figure out some way to let me know which bridge we're talking about."

"I already told you—it's on the Muskogee Turnpike. I can't tell which one."

"Think harder! What else did you see?"

She sighed and closed her eyes. I watched her face as her brow wrinkled and she seemed to cringe. With her eyes still closed she said, "Wait, no. It's not on the turnpike. I saw a sign. It's the I-40 bridge over the Arkansas River—the one that's right off the turn­pike near Webber's Falls." Then she opened her eyes. "You know when and where. I can't tell you much more. I think some kind of flat boat, like a barge, hits the bridge, but that's all I know. I didn't see anything to identify the boat. So, how are you going to stop it?"

"I don't know, but I will," I muttered.

"Well, while you're thinking about how to save the world, I'm going to go back to the dorm and do my nails. Raggedy nails are something I consider tragic."

"You know, having crappy parents isn't an excuse to be heart­less," I said. She'd turned away and I saw her pause. Her back got really straight and when she looked over her shoulder at me I could see that her eyes were narrowed in anger.

"What would you know about it?"

"About your parents? Not much except that they're controlling and your mom's a nightmare. About screwed-up parents in gen­eral? Plenty. I've been living with pain-in-the-ass parent issues since my mom remarried three years ago. It sucks, but it's not an excuse to be a bitch."

"Try eighteen years of a lot more than just 'pain-in-the-ass parent issues' and maybe you'll start to get something about it. Until then, you don't know shit." Then, like the old Aphrodite I knew and couldn't stand, she flipped her hair and stalked away, wiggling her narrow butt like I cared.

"Issues. The girl has major issues." I sat down on the bench and began rummaging through my purse for my cell phone, glad I carried it around with me even though I'd been forced to keep it on silent, withouteven vibrate on. The reason could be summed up in one word—Heath. He was my human almost-ex-boyfriend, and since he and my definitely ex-best friend, Kayla, had tried to "break me out" (that's actually what they'd said—morons) of the House of Night, Heath had been way over the top on his obsession level for me. Of course, that wasn't really his fault. I was the one who had tasted his blood and started the whole Imprint thing with him, but still. Anyway, even though his messages had dwindled down from like a zillion (meaning twenty or so) a day, to two or three, I still didn't feel like leaving my phone on and being bothered by him. And, sure enough, when I flipped it open there were two missed calls, both from Heath. No messages, though, so hopefully he's demonstrating the ability to learn.

Grandma sounded sleepy when she answered the phone, but as soon as she realized it was me she perked up.

"Oh, Zoeybird! It's so nice to wake up to your voice," she said.

I smiled into the phone. "I miss you, Grandma."

"I miss you, too, sweetheart."

"Grandma, the reason I called is kinda weird, but you're just going to have to trust me."

"Of course I trust you," she replied without hesitation. She's so different than my mom that sometimes I wonder how they could be related.

"Okay, later today you're pla

There was a brief pause, and then she laughed. "I guess it's going to be hard to keep birthday surprises from my vampyre grand­daughter."

"I need you to promise me something, Grandma. Promise that you won't go anywhere today. Don't get in your car. Don't drive anywhere. Just stay home and relax."

"What's this about, Zoey?"

I hesitated, not sure how to tell her. Then with her lifelong ability to understand me, she said softly, "Remember, you can tell me anything, Zoeybird. I'll believe you."

I hadn't realized that I'd been holding my breath until that in­stant. On my let out breath I said, "The bridge on I-40 that goes over the Arkansas River by Webber's Falls is going to collapse. You were supposed to be on it, and you would have died." I said the last part softly, almost whispering.

"Oh! Oh, my! I'd better sit down."

"Grandma, are you okay?"

"I suppose I am now, but I wouldn't be if you hadn't warned me, which is why I'm feeling light-headed." She must have picked up a magazine or something because I could hear her fa

"No, not me. It's Aphrodite."

"The girl who used to be leader of the Dark Daughters? I didn't think you two were friends."

I snorted. "We're not. Definitely not. But I found her having a vision and she told me what she saw."

"And you trust this girl?"

"No way, but I do trust her power, and I saw her, Grandma. It was like she was there, with you. It was awful. She saw you crash, and those little kids die ..." I had to stop and breathe. The truth had suddenly caught up with me: my grandma could have died today.

"Wait, there were more people in the crash?"

"Yeah, when the bridge collapses a bunch of cars go into the river."

"But what about the other people?"

"I'm going to take care of that, too. You just stay home."

"Shouldn't I go to the bridge and try to stop them?"

"No! Stay away from there. I'll make sure no one gets hurt—I promise. But I have to know that you're safe," I said.

"Okay, sweetheart. I believe you. You don't have to worry about me. I'll be safe and sound at home. You take care of what ever you need to do, and if you need me, call. Anytime."

"Thanks, Grandma. I love you."

"I love you, too, u-we-tsi a-ge-hu-tsa."

After I hung up I spent a little while just sitting there, willing myself to stop shaking, but only a little while. A plan was already brewing in my head, and I didn't have time to freak out. I needed to get busy.