House_NN1 of_IO Night_NNT1 Novels_NN2 The_AT caw_NN1 !_! caw_UH !_! cawing_JJ !_! of_IO one_MC1 stupid_JJ crow_NN1 kept_VVD me_PPIO1 up_RP all_DB night_NNT1 ._. 
(_( Well_RR ,_, more_RGR accurately_RR ,_, all_DB day_NNT1 --_NN1 'cause_CS ,_, you_PPY know_VV0 ,_, I_PPIS1 'm_VBM a_AT1 vampyre_NN1 fledgling_NN1 and_CC we_PPIS2 have_VH0 that_DD1 whole_JJ issue_NN1 of_IO day_NNT1 and_CC night_NNT1 being_VBG turned_VVN around_RP ._. )_) 
Anyway_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 got_VVD zero_MC sleep_VV0 last_MD night/day_NNT1 ._. 
But_CCB my_APPGE crappy_JJ nonsleep_NN1 is_VBZ currently_RR the_AT easiest_JJT thing_NN1 to_TO deal_VVI with_IW since_CS life_NN1 really_RR sucks_VVZ when_RRQ your_APPGE friends_NN2 are_VBR pissed_VVN at_II you_PPY ._. 
I_PPIS1 should_VM know_VVI ._. 
I_PPIS1 'm_VBM Zoey_NP1 Redbird_NP1 ,_, currently_RR the_AT undisputed_JJ Queen_NN1 of_IO Making_VVG My_APPGE Friends_NN2 Pissed_JJ Land_NN1 ._. 
Persephone_VV0 ,_, the_AT big_JJ sorrel_JJ mare_NN1 who_PNQS I_PPIS1 could_VM consider_VVI mine_PPGE for_IF as_CS31 long_CS32 as_CS33 I_PPIS1 lived_VVD at_II the_AT House_NN1 of_IO Night_NNT1 ,_, craned_VVD her_APPGE head_NN1 around_RP and_CC nuzzled_VVD my_APPGE cheek_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 kissed_VVD her_APPGE soft_JJ muzzle_NN1 and_CC went_VVD back_RP to_II brushing_VVG her_APPGE sleek_JJ neck_NN1 ._. 
Grooming_NP1 Persephone_NP1 always_RR helped_VVD me_PPIO1 think_VVI and_CC made_VVD me_PPIO1 feel_NN1 better_RRR ._. 
And_CC I_PPIS1 definitely_RR needed_VVD help_NN1 with_IW both_DB2 of_IO those_DD2 things_NN2 ._. 
"_" Okay_RR ,_, so_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 've_VH0 managed_VVN to_TO avoid_VVI the_AT Big_JJ Confrontation_NN1 for_IF two_MC days_NNT2 ,_, but_CCB that_DD1 ca_VM n't_XX continue_VVI ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 told_VVD the_AT mare_NN1 ._. 
"_" Yes_UH ,_, I_PPIS1 know_VV0 they_PPHS2 're_VBR in_II the_AT cafeteria_NN1 right_RR now_RT ,_, eating_VVG dinner_NN1 while_CS they_PPHS2 hang_VV0 out_RP together_RL being_VBG all_RR buddy-buddy_JJ and_CC totally_RR leaving_VVG me_PPIO1 out_RP ._. "_" 
Persephone_NP1 snorted_VVD and_CC went_VVD back_RP to_II munching_VVG hay_NN1 ._. 
"_" Yeah_UH ,_, I_PPIS1 think_VV0 they_PPHS2 're_VBR being_VBG jerks_NN2 ,_, too_RR ._. 
Sure_RR ,_, I_PPIS1 did_VDD lie_VVI to_II them_PPHO2 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 was_VBDZ mostly_RR by_II omission_NN1 ._. 
And_CC ,_, yeah_UH ,_, I_PPIS1 kept_VVD some_DD stuff_NN1 from_II them_PPHO2 ._. 
Mostly_RR for_IF their_APPGE own_DA good_JJ ._. "_" 
I_PPIS1 sighed_VVD ._. 
Well_RR ,_, the_AT stuff_NN1 about_II Stevie_NP1 Rae_NP1 being_VBG undead_NN1 was_VBDZ for_IF their_APPGE own_DA good_JJ ._. 
The_AT stuff_NN1 about_II me_PPIO1 having_VHG a_AT1 thing_NN1 with_IW Loren_NP1 Blake_NP1 --_JJ Vampyre_NN1 Poet_NN1 Laureate_NN1 and_CC professor_NN1 at_II the_AT House_NN1 of_IO Night_NNT1 --_NN1 well_RR ,_, that_DD1 was_VBDZ more_RRR for_IF my_APPGE own_DA good_JJ ._. 
"_" But_CCB still_RR ._. "_" 
Persephone_NP1 flicked_VVD an_AT1 ear_NN1 back_RP to_TO listen_VVI to_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
"_" They_PPHS2 're_VBR being_VBG really_RR judgmental_JJ ._. "_" 
Persephone_NP1 snorted_VVD again_RT ._. 
I_PPIS1 sighed_VVD again_RT ._. 
Crap_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 could_VM n't_XX avoid_VVI them_PPHO2 any_RR21 longer_RR22 ._. 
After_II giving_VVG the_AT sweet_JJ mare_NN1 one_MC1 last_MD pat_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 walked_VVD slowly_RR out_II21 of_II22 her_APPGE stall_NN1 to_II the_AT tack_NN1 room_NN1 and_CC put_VVD up_RP the_AT array_NN1 of_IO currycombs_NN2 and_CC mane/tail_NN1 brushes_NN2 I_PPIS1 'd_VHD been_VBN using_VVG on_II her_PPHO1 for_IF the_AT past_JJ hour_NNT1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 breathed_VVD deeply_RR of_IO the_AT leather_NN1 and_CC horse_NN1 smell_NN1 ,_, letting_VVG the_AT soothing_JJ mixture_NN1 ease_VVI my_APPGE nerves_NN2 ._. 
Catching_VVG my_APPGE reflection_NN1 in_II the_AT smooth_JJ glass_NN1 window_NN1 of_IO the_AT tack_NN1 room_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 automatically_RR ran_VVD my_APPGE fingers_NN2 through_II my_APPGE dark_JJ hair_NN1 ,_, trying_VVG to_TO make_VVI it_PPH1 look_VVI not_XX so_RG bedheady_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 'd_VHD been_VBN Marked_VVN as_II a_AT1 fledgling_JJ vampyre_NN1 and_CC moved_VVN to_II the_AT House_NN1 of_IO Night_NNT1 for_IF just_RR over_RG two_MC months_NNT2 ,_, but_CCB already_RR my_APPGE hair_NN1 was_VBDZ noticeably_RR thicker_JJR and_CC longer_RRR ._. 
And_CC supergood_VV0 hair_NN1 was_VBDZ only_RR one_MC1 of_IO the_AT many_DA2 changes_NN2 taking_VVG place_NN1 with_IW me_PPIO1 ._. 
Some_DD of_IO them_PPHO2 were_VBDR invisible_JJ --_NN1 like_II the_AT fact_NN1 that_CST I_PPIS1 had_VHD an_AT1 affinity_NN1 for_IF all_DB five_MC of_IO the_AT elements_NN2 ._. 
Some_DD of_IO them_PPHO2 were_VBDR very_RG much_DA1 visible_JJ --_NN1 like_II the_AT unique_JJ tattoos_NN2 that_CST framed_VVD my_APPGE face_NN1 in_II intricate_JJ ,_, exotic_JJ swirls_NN2 and_CC then_RT ,_, unlike_II any_DD other_JJ fledgling_NN1 or_CC adult_NN1 vampyre_NN1 ,_, the_AT sapphire_NN1 design_NN1 spread_VVD down_RP my_APPGE neck_NN1 and_CC shoulders_NN2 ,_, along_II my_APPGE spine_NN1 ,_, and_CC most_RGT recently_RR ,_, had_VHD moved_VVN around_II my_APPGE waist_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 little_JJ fact_NN1 no_PN121 one_PN122 but_CCB my_APPGE cat_NN1 ,_, Nala_NP1 ,_, our_APPGE goddess_NN1 Nyx_NN1 ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 knew_VVD ._. 
Like_VV0 who_PNQS could_VM I_PPIS1 show_VVI ?_? 
"_" Well_RR ,_, yesterday_RT you_PPY had_VHD not_XX one_PN1 ,_, but_CCB three_MC boyfriends_NN2 ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 told_VVD the_AT me_PPIO1 with_IW the_AT dark_JJ eyes_NN2 and_CC cynical_JJ half_DB smile_VV0 that_DD1 was_VBDZ reflected_VVN in_II the_AT glass_NN1 ._. 
"_" But_CCB you_PPY fixed_VVD that_CST ,_, did_VDD n't_XX you_PPY ?_? 
Today_RT not_XX only_RR do_VD0 you_PPY have_VHI zero_MC boyfriends_NN2 ,_, but_CCB no_RR one_MC1 will_VM ever_RR trust_VVI you_PPY again_RT for_IF at_RR21 least_RR22 ,_, I_PPIS1 du_VD0 n_56 no_VVI ,_, a_AT1 gazillion_NN1 years_NNT2 or_CC so_RR ._. "_" 
Well_RR ,_, except_CS Aphrodite_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS totally_RR freaked_VVN and_CC took_VVN off_II two_MC days_NNT2 ago_RA because_CS she_PPHS1 might_VM have_VHI suddenly_RR been_VBN turned_VVN back_RP into_II a_AT1 human_NN1 ,_, and_CC Stevie_NP1 Rae_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS was_VBDZ chasing_VVG said_VVD freaked_VVN re-humaned_VVD Aphrodite_NP1 because_CS she_PPHS1 might_VM have_VHI caused_VVN the_AT fledgling-to-human_JJ issue_NN1 when_CS I_PPIS1 cast_VV0 a_AT1 circle_NN1 and_CC turned_VVD her_PPHO1 from_II creepy_JJ undead_NN1 dead_JJ kid_NN1 to_II kid_NN1 ._. 
"_" Either_DD1 way_NN1 ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 told_VVD myself_PPX1 aloud_RR ,_, "_" you_PPY have_VH0 managed_VVN to_TO mess_VVI up_RP just_RR21 about_RR22 everyone_PN1 who_PNQS has_VHZ touched_VVN your_APPGE life_NN1 ._. 
Well_RR done_VDN ,_, you_PPY !_! "_" 
My_APPGE lip_NN1 had_VHD actually_RR started_VVN to_TO quiver_VVI and_CC I_PPIS1 felt_VVD the_AT sting_NN1 of_IO tears_NN2 in_II my_APPGE eyes_NN2 ._. 
No_UH ._. 
Bawling_VVG my_APPGE eyes_NN2 red_NN1 would_VM n't_XX do_VDI any_DD good_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 mean_VV0 ,_, seriously_RR ,_, if_CS it_PPH1 did_VDD ,_, then_RT my_APPGE friends_NN2 and_CC I_PPIS1 would_VM have_VHI kissed_VVN (_( well_RR ,_, not_XX literally_RR )_) and_CC made_VVD up_RP days_NNT2 ago_RA ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ just_RR going_VVGK to_TO have_VHI to_TO face_VVI them_PPHO2 and_CC start_VVI trying_VVG to_TO make_VVI things_NN2 right_RR ._. 
The_AT late_JJ December_NPM1 night_NNT1 was_VBDZ cool_JJ and_CC a_RR21 little_RR22 misty_JJ ._. 
The_AT gaslights_NN2 lining_VVG the_AT sidewalk_NN1 that_CST stretched_VVD from_II the_AT stable_JJ and_CC field_NN1 house_NN1 area_NN1 of_IO the_AT school_NN1 to_II the_AT main_JJ building_NN1 flickered_VVD with_IW little_JJ haloes_NN2 of_IO yellow_JJ light_NN1 ,_, looking_VVG beautiful_JJ and_CC old-worldly_JJ ._. 
Actually_RR ,_, the_AT whole_JJ campus_NN1 of_IO the_AT House_NN1 of_IO Night_NNT1 was_VBDZ gorgeous_JJ ,_, and_CC always_RR made_VVD me_PPIO1 think_NN1 of_IO something_PN1 that_CST belonged_VVD in_II an_AT1 Arthurian_JJ legend_NN1 more_RRR than_CSN in_II the_AT twenty-first_MD century_NNT1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 love_VV0 it_PPH1 here_RL ,_, I_PPIS1 reminded_VVD myself_PPX1 ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ home_RL ._. 
It_PPH1 's_VBZ where_RRQ I_PPIS1 belong_VV0 ._. 
I_PPIS1 'll_VM make_VVI it_PPH1 right_RR with_IW my_APPGE friends_NN2 ,_, and_CC everything_PN1 will_VM be_VBI okay_JJ then_RT ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ chewing_VVG my_APPGE lip_NN1 and_CC worrying_JJ about_II just_RR exactly_RR how_RRQ I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ going_VVGK to_TO make_VVI it_PPH1 right_RR with_IW my_APPGE friends_NN2 when_CS my_APPGE mental_JJ stressing_VVG was_VBDZ interrupted_VVN by_II a_AT1 weird_JJ flapping_JJ noise_NN1 that_CST filled_VVD the_AT air_NN1 around_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
Something_PN1 about_II the_AT sound_NN1 sent_VVD a_AT1 chill_NN1 down_RP my_APPGE spine_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 looked_VVD up_RP ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ nothing_PN1 above_II me_PPIO1 but_CCB darkness_NN1 and_CC sky_NN1 and_CC the_AT winter-bare_JJ limbs_NN2 of_IO the_AT huge_JJ oaks_NN2 that_CST lined_VVD the_AT sidewalk_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 shivered_VVD ,_, having_VHG a_AT1 walking-over-my-grave_JJ moment_NN1 as_II the_AT night_NNT1 went_VVD from_II soft_JJ and_CC misty_JJ to_II dark_NN1 and_CC malevolent_JJ ._. 
Hang_VV0 on_RP --_JJ dark_NN1 and_CC malevolent_JJ ?_? 
Well_RR ,_, that_DD1 's_VBZ just_RR silly_JJ !_! 
What_DDQ I_PPIS1 had_VHD heard_VVN was_VBDZ probably_RR nothing_PN1 more_RGR sinister_JJ than_CSN the_AT wind_NN1 rustling_VVG through_II the_AT trees_NN2 ._. 
Jeesh_VV0 ,_, I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ losing_VVG it_PPH1 ._. 
Shaking_VVG my_APPGE head_NN1 at_II myself_PPX1 ,_, I_PPIS1 kept_VVD walking_NN1 but_CCB had_VHD taken_VVN only_RR a_AT1 couple_NN1 of_IO steps_NN2 when_CS it_PPH1 happened_VVD again_RT ._. 
The_AT weird_JJ flapping_NN1 above_II me_PPIO1 actually_RR caused_VVD the_AT air_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ seemed_VVD ten_MC degrees_NN2 colder_JJR ,_, to_TO flutter_VVI wildly_RR against_II my_APPGE skin_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 automatically_RR flailed_VVD a_AT1 hand_NN1 up_RP ,_, imagining_VVG bats_NN2 and_CC spiders_NN2 and_CC all_DB sorts_NN2 of_IO creepy_JJ things_NN2 ._. 
My_APPGE fingers_NN2 passed_VVN through_II nothingness_NN1 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 was_VBDZ frigid_JJ nothingness_NN1 ,_, and_CC an_AT1 icy_JJ pain_NN1 sliced_VVN through_II my_APPGE hand_NN1 ._. 
Completely_RR freaked_VVN out_RP ,_, I_PPIS1 yelped_VVD and_CC hugged_VVN my_APPGE hand_NN1 to_II my_APPGE chest_NN1 ._. 
For_IF a_AT1 moment_NN1 I_PPIS1 did_VDD n't_XX know_VVI what_DDQ to_TO do_VDI ,_, and_CC my_APPGE body_NN1 was_VBDZ numb_JJ with_IW fear_NN1 ._. 
The_AT flapping_NN1 was_VBDZ getting_VVG louder_JJR and_CC the_AT cold_NN1 more_RGR intense_JJ when_CS I_PPIS1 finally_RR managed_VVN to_TO move_VVI ._. 
Ducking_VVG my_APPGE head_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 did_VDD the_AT only_JJ thing_NN1 I_PPIS1 could_VM think_VVI to_TO do_VDI ._. 
I_PPIS1 ran_VVD for_IF the_AT nearest_JJT door_NN1 to_II the_AT school_NN1 ._. 
After_II slipping_VVG inside_RL ,_, I_PPIS1 slammed_VVD the_AT thick_JJ wooden_JJ door_NN1 behind_II me_PPIO1 and_CC ,_, panting_VVG for_IF breath_NN1 ,_, turned_VVD to_TO peer_VVI through_II the_AT little_JJ arched_JJ window_NN1 in_II the_AT center_NN1 of_IO it_PPH1 ._. 
The_AT night_NNT1 shifted_VVN and_CC swam_VVN before_II my_APPGE eyes_NN2 ,_, like_II black_JJ paint_NN1 poured_VVD down_RP a_AT1 dark_JJ page_NN1 ._. 
Still_RR ,_, the_AT terrible_JJ feeling_NN1 of_IO icy_JJ fear_NN1 lingered_VVD within_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
What_DDQ was_VBDZ going_VVG on_RP ?_? 
Almost_RR without_IW realizing_VVG what_DDQ I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ doing_VDG ,_, I_PPIS1 whispered_VVD ,_, "_" Fire_NN1 ,_, come_VV0 to_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 need_VV0 your_APPGE warmth_NN1 ._. "_" 
Instantly_RR the_AT element_NN1 responded_VVD ,_, filling_VVG the_AT air_NN1 around_II me_PPIO1 with_IW the_AT soothing_JJ heat_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 hearth_NN1 fire_NN1 ._. 
Still_RR staring_VVG out_RP the_AT little_JJ window_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 pressed_VVD my_APPGE palms_NN2 against_II the_AT rough_JJ wood_NN1 of_IO the_AT door_NN1 ._. 
"_" Out_RP there_RL ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 murmured_VVD ._. 
"_" Send_VV0 your_APPGE heat_NN1 out_RP there_RL ,_, too_RR ._. "_" 
With_IW a_AT1 whoosh_NN1 of_IO warmth_NN1 ,_, the_AT element_NN1 moved_VVN from_II me_PPIO1 ,_, through_II the_AT door_NN1 ,_, and_CC poured_VVD into_II the_AT night_NNT1 ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 hissing_JJ sound_NN1 ,_, like_II steam_NN1 rising_VVG from_II dry_JJ ice_NN1 ._. 
The_AT mist_NN1 roiled_VVD ,_, thick_JJ and_CC soupy_NN1 ,_, giving_VVG me_PPIO1 a_AT1 sense_NN1 of_IO dizzy_JJ vertigo_NN1 that_CST made_VVD me_PPIO1 a_RR21 little_RR22 nauseated_VVD ,_, and_CC the_AT strange_JJ darkness_NN1 began_VVD to_TO evaporate_VVI ._. 
Then_RT the_AT heat_NN1 completely_RR beat_VV0 away_RL the_AT chill_NN1 ,_, and_CC as_RG suddenly_RR as_CSA it_PPH1 had_VHD begun_VVN ,_, the_AT night_NNT1 was_VBDZ once_RR21 again_RR22 quiet_JJ and_CC familiar_JJ ._. 
What_DDQ had_VHD just_RR happened_VVN ?_? 
My_APPGE stinging_JJ hand_NN1 drew_VVD my_APPGE attention_NN1 from_II the_AT window_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 looked_VVD down_RP ._. 
Across_II the_AT back_NN1 of_IO my_APPGE hand_NN1 there_EX were_VBDR red_JJ welts_NN2 ,_, as_CS21 though_CS22 something_PN1 with_IW claws_NN2 ,_, or_CC talons_NN2 ,_, had_VHD scraped_VVN across_II my_APPGE flesh_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 rubbed_VVD at_II the_AT angry-looking_JJ marks_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ stung_VVD like_II a_AT1 curling_NN1 iron_NN1 burn_NN1 ._. 
Then_RT the_AT feeling_NN1 hit_VVD me_PPIO1 strong_JJ ,_, hard_RR ,_, overwhelming_JJ --_NN1 and_CC I_PPIS1 knew_VVD with_IW my_APPGE Goddess-given_NN1 sixth_MD sense_NN1 that_CST I_PPIS1 should_VM n't_XX be_VBI here_RL by_II myself_PPX1 ._. 
The_AT coldness_NN1 that_CST had_VHD tainted_VVN the_AT night_NNT1 --_NN1 the_AT ghostly_JJ something_PN1 that_CST had_VHD chased_VVN me_PPIO1 inside_RL and_CC welted_VVN my_APPGE hand_NN1 --_NN1 filled_VVD me_PPIO1 with_IW a_AT1 terrible_JJ foreboding_NN1 and_CC for_IF the_AT first_MD time_NNT1 in_II a_AT1 long_JJ time_NNT1 ,_, I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ truly_RR and_CC utterly_RR afraid_JJ ._. 
Not_XX for_IF my_APPGE friends_NN2 ._. 
Not_XX for_IF my_APPGE grandma_NN1 or_CC my_APPGE human_JJ ex-boyfriend_NN1 ,_, or_CC even_RR for_IF my_APPGE estranged_JJ mom_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ afraid_JJ for_IF myself_PPX1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 did_VDD n't_XX just_RR want_VVI the_AT company_NN1 of_IO my_APPGE friends_NN2 ;_; I_PPIS1 needed_VVD them_PPHO2 ._. 
Still_RR rubbing_VVG my_APPGE hand_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 made_VVD my_APPGE legs_NN2 move_VV0 and_CC knew_VVD beyond_II any_DD doubt_NN1 that_CST I_PPIS1 would_VM rather_RR face_VVI the_AT hurt_JJ and_CC disappointment_NN1 of_IO my_APPGE friends_NN2 than_CSN whatever_DDQV dark_JJ thing_NN1 might_VM be_VBI waiting_VVG for_IF me_PPIO1 in_II the_AT concealing_JJ night_NNT1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 hovered_VVD for_IF a_AT1 second_MD just_JJ outside_II the_AT open_JJ doors_NN2 to_II the_AT busy_JJ "_" dining_NN1 hall_NN1 "_" (_( a.k.a._NNU school_NN1 cafeteria_NN1 )_) watching_VVG the_AT other_JJ kids_NN2 talk_VV0 easily_RR and_CC happily_RR together_RL ,_, and_CC I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ almost_RR overwhelmed_VVN with_IW the_AT sudden_JJ wish_NN1 that_CST I_PPIS1 could_VM be_VBI just_RR another_DD1 fledging_JJ --_NN1 that_CST I_PPIS1 did_VDD n't_XX have_VHI any_DD extraordinary_JJ abilities_NN2 or_CC the_AT responsibilities_NN2 that_CST went_VVD along_II21 with_II22 those_DD2 abilities_NN2 ._. 
For_IF a_AT1 second_NNT1 I_PPIS1 wanted_VVD to_TO be_VBI normal_JJ so_RG bad_JJ that_CST it_PPH1 was_VBDZ hard_JJ for_IF me_PPIO1 to_TO breathe_VVI ._. 
Then_RT I_PPIS1 felt_VVD the_AT soft_JJ brush_NN1 of_IO wind_NN1 against_II my_APPGE skin_NN1 that_CST seemed_VVD warmed_VVN by_II the_AT heat_NN1 of_IO an_AT1 invisible_JJ flame_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 caught_VVD a_AT1 whiff_NN1 of_IO the_AT ocean_NN1 ,_, even_CS21 though_CS22 there_EX is_VBZ definitely_RR no_AT ocean_NN1 near_II Tulsa_NP1 ,_, Oklahoma_NP1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 heard_VVD birdsong_NN1 and_CC smelled_VVD new-cut_JJ grass_NN1 ._. 
And_CC my_APPGE spirit_NN1 quivered_VVD with_IW silent_JJ joy_NN1 within_II me_PPIO1 as_CSA it_PPH1 acknowledged_VVD my_APPGE powerful_JJ Goddess-given_JJ gifts_NN2 of_IO an_AT1 affinity_NN1 for_IF each_DD1 of_IO the_AT five_MC elements_NN2 :_: air_NN1 ,_, fire_NN1 ,_, water_NN1 ,_, earth_NN1 ,_, and_CC spirit_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX normal_JJ ._. 
I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ n't_XX like_II anyone_PN1 else_RR ,_, fledgling_JJ or_CC vampyre_NN1 ,_, and_CC it_PPH1 was_VBDZ wrong_JJ of_IO me_PPIO1 to_TO wish_VVI otherwise_RR ._. 
And_CC part_NN1 of_IO my_APPGE not-normal-ness_NN1 was_VBDZ telling_VVG me_PPIO1 that_CST I_PPIS1 had_VHD to_TO go_VVI in_II there_RL and_CC try_VVI to_TO make_VVI peace_NN1 with_IW my_APPGE friends_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 straightened_VVD my_APPGE spine_NN1 and_CC looked_VVN around_II the_AT room_NN1 with_IW eyes_NN2 that_CST were_VBDR clear_JJ of_IO self-pity_NN1 ,_, and_CC easily_RR found_VVD my_APPGE special_JJ group_NN1 sitting_VVG at_II our_APPGE booth_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 drew_VVD a_AT1 deep_JJ breath_NN1 and_CC then_RT made_VVD my_APPGE way_NN1 quickly_RR across_II the_AT cafeteria_NN1 ,_, giving_VVG a_AT1 little_JJ nod_NN1 or_CC small_JJ smile_NN1 to_II the_AT kids_NN2 who_PNQS said_VVD hi_UH to_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 noticed_VVD that_CST everyone_PN1 seemed_VVD to_TO be_VBI reacting_VVG to_II me_PPIO1 with_IW their_APPGE usual_JJ mix_NN1 of_IO respect_NN1 and_CC awe_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ meant_VVD that_CST my_APPGE friends_NN2 had_VHD n't_XX been_VBN talking_VVG crap_NN1 about_II me_PPIO1 to_II the_AT masses_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 also_RR meant_VVD that_CST Neferet_NP1 had_VHD n't_XX launched_VVN an_AT1 all-out_JJ ,_, open_JJ attack_NN1 against_II me_PPIO1 ._. 
Yet_RR ._. 
I_PPIS1 grabbed_VVD a_AT1 quick_JJ salad_NN1 and_CC a_AT1 brown_JJ pop_NN1 ._. 
Then_RT ,_, holding_VVG on_RP to_II my_APPGE tray_NN1 with_IW such_DA abnormal_JJ tightness_NN1 that_CST it_PPH1 was_VBDZ turning_VVG my_APPGE fingers_NN2 white_JJ ,_, I_PPIS1 marched_VVD straight_RR to_II our_APPGE booth_NN1 and_CC took_VVD my_APPGE usual_JJ seat_NN1 beside_II Damien_NP1 ._. 
When_CS I_PPIS1 sat_VVD down_RP ,_, no_PN121 one_PN122 looked_VVD at_II me_PPIO1 ,_, but_CCB their_APPGE easy_JJ chatter_NN1 instantly_RR died_VVD ,_, which_DDQ is_VBZ something_PN1 I_PPIS1 totally_RR hate_VV0 ._. 
I_PPIS1 mean_VV0 ,_, what_DDQ 's_VBZ more_RGR awful_JJ than_CSN walking_VVG up_II21 to_II22 a_AT1 group_NN1 of_IO your_APPGE supposed-to-be_JJ friends_NN2 and_CC having_VHG them_PPHO2 all_DB shut_VVN up_RP so_CS21 that_CS22 you_PPY knew_VVD for_RR21 sure_RR22 they_PPHS2 were_VBDR all_DB talking_VVG about_II you_PPY ?_? 
Ugh_UH ._. 
"_" Hi_UH ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 said_VVD instead_II21 of_II22 running_VVG away_RL or_CC bursting_VVG into_II tears_NN2 like_VV0 I_PPIS1 wanted_VVD to_TO ._. 
No_PN121 one_PN122 said_VVD anything_PN1 ._. 
"_" So_RR ,_, what_DDQ 's_VBZ up_RP ?_? "_" 
I_PPIS1 directed_VVD the_AT question_NN1 at_II Damien_NP1 ,_, knowing_VVG that_CST my_APPGE gay_JJ friend_NN1 was_VBDZ naturally_RR the_AT weakest_JJT link_NN1 in_II the_AT don't-talk-to-Zoey_NN1 chain_NN1 ._. 
Sadly_RR ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ the_AT Twins_NN2 who_PNQS answered_VVD me_PPIO1 and_CC not_XX gay_JJ ,_, and_CC therefore_RR more_RGR sensitive_JJ and_CC polite_JJ ,_, Damien_NP1 ._. 
"_" Not_XX shit_NN1 ,_, right_RR ,_, Twin_NN1 ?_? "_" said_VVD Shaunee_NP1 ._. 
Okay_RR ,_, the_AT Twins_NN2 are_VBR n't_XX really_RR twins_NN2 ._. 
Shaunee_NP1 Cole_NP1 is_VBZ a_AT1 caramel-colored_JJ Jamaican-American_NN1 who_PNQS grew_VVD up_RP on_II the_AT East_ND1 Coast_NN1 ._. 
Erin_NP1 Bates_NP1 is_VBZ a_AT1 gorgeous_JJ blonde_NN1 who_PNQS was_VBDZ born_VVN in_II Tulsa_NP1 ._. 
The_AT two_MC met_VVD after_II being_VBG Marked_VVN and_CC moving_VVG to_II the_AT House_NN1 of_IO Night_NNT1 on_II the_AT same_DA day_NNT1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 clicked_VVD instantly_RR --_JJ it_PPH1 's_VBZ like_JJ genetics_NN1 and_CC geography_NN1 never_RR existed_VVD ._. 
They_PPHS2 literally_RR finish_VV0 each_PPX221 other_PPX222 's_GE sentences_NN2 ._. 
And_CC at_II that_DD1 moment_NN1 they_PPHS2 were_VBDR glaring_VVG at_II me_PPIO1 with_IW twin_NN1 looks_VVZ of_IO angry_JJ suspicion_NN1 ._. 
