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her dad was saying. “Do you never listen? I said that your visions could be used to
gain
power for you because information is always power. The source of your visions is the Change that’s taking place inside your body. It’s genetics, that’s all.”
    â€œIt’s supposed to be a gift from the Goddess,” Aphrodite said softly.
    Her mother’s laugh was cold. “Don’t be stupid. If there was such thing as a goddess, why would she grant
you
powers? You’re just a ridiculous child, and one who is prone to making mistakes, as this last little escapade of yours has once again proven. So be smart for a change, Aphrodite. Use your visions to gain favor back, but act humble about it. You have to make Neferet believe that you’re sorry.”
    I almost didn’t hear Aphrodite’s whispered, “I am sorry . . .”
    â€œWe’ll expect much better news next month.”
    â€œYes, Mother.”
    â€œGood, now walk us back to the reception hall so that we can mingle with the others.”
    â€œCan I please stay here for a little while? I’m really not feeling very well.”
    â€œAbsolutely not. What would people say?” her mother said. “Pull yourself together. You’ll escort us back to the hall and you’ll be gracious about it. Now.”
    Aphrodite was slowly standing up from the bench, and heart beating so hard I was afraid it would give me away, I hurried back down the path till I came to the fork that would take me out of the courtyard. Then I practically ran from the garden.
    I thought about what I’d overheard all the way back to the dorm. I believed that I had nightmare parents, but they were like
The Brady Bunch
mom and dad (hello—I watch Nickelodeon reruns like everyone else) compared to Aphrodite’s hateful, power-freak parents. Much as I hated to admit it, what I saw tonight made me understand why Aphrodite acted like she did. I mean, what would I be like if I hadn’t had Grandma Redbird to love me and support me and help me grow a backbone these past three years? And that was something else, too. My mom had been normal. Sure, she’d been stressed out and overworked, but she’d been normal for the first thirteen of my almost seventeen years of life. It was only after she married John that she changed. So I’d had a good mom and a fantastic grandma. What if I hadn’t? What if all I’d ever known was how it had been for the past three years—me being an unwanted outsider in my own family?
    I might have turned out like Aphrodite, and I might still be letting my parents control me because I was hoping desperately that I would be good enough, make them proud enough, so that someday they would really love me.
    It made me see Aphrodite with totally new eyes, which I wasn’t particularly thrilled about.

CHAPTER THREE
    â€œYeah, Zoey, I understand what you’re sayin’ and all, but hello! Part of what you overheard was that Aphrodite is gonna try to set you up so that she can get you kicked out of the Dark Daughter leadership, so don’t go feeling too darn sorry for her,” Stevie Rae said.
    â€œI know—I know. I’m not getting all warm and fuzzy about her. I’m just saying that after overhearing her with her psycho parents I understand why she is like she is.”
    We were walking to first hour. Well, actually, Stevie Rae and I were practically running to first hour. As usual, we were almost late. I knew I shouldn’t have had that second bowl of Count Chocula.
    Stevie Rae rolled her eyes. “And you say I’m too nice.”
    â€œI’m not being nice. I’m being understanding. But understanding doesn’t change the fact that Aphrodite acts like a hag bitch from hell.”
    Stevie Rae made a snorting noise and shook her head, causing her blond curls to bounce like she was a little girl. Her short cut was odd at the House of Night where everyone,