Destined (Cast novel)

Destined

The first edition cover
Author	P.C. Cast Kristin Cast
Country	United States
Language	English
Series	House of Night
Genre	Young adult Paranormal romance
Publisher	St. Martin's
Publication date	October 25, 2011
Media type	Print(Paperback & Hardback) Audio CD
Pages	336
ISBN
OCLC	707257497
Preceded by	Awakened Dragon's Oath
Followed by	Lenobia's Vow Hidden

Destined is the ninth volume of the House of Night fantasy series written by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. The book was published on October 25, 2011 by St. Martin's Press, an extension of Macmillan Publishers.

Zoey Redbird has started a new House of Night in the tunnels with her friends, but is struck hard when she finds out of her mother's death. Erik has become a Tracker and Rephaim has been granted the gift of humanity and they both struggle with their choices. Heath Luck has become part Neferet's vessel, Aurox, because of the sacrifice, Linda Heffer's, weakness.

The book is told from no less than 11 points of view, respectively Zoey, Stevie Rae, Rephaim, Kalona, Stark, Aurox, Neferet, Shaunee, Lenobia, Dragon, and Erik.

In the prologue, Zoey is seen with Stark. She notices Darkness on him and commands Spirit to send the Darkness away. Zoey is unsure about the death of her mother. Meanwhile, Aurox kills a human person. The white bull comes and tells Aurox and Neferet that he can create chaos. Neferet plans to use Aurox to kill the white bull and rule the world as the Goddess of Vampyres.

Zoey and her friends return to school where she blindsides Neferet by initiating a Skype meeting with Duantia, the leader of the High Council. She gives her version of the events in Awakened and puts Neferet in the uncomfortable position of having to accept Rephaim at the House of Night. Next, she asks for a second House of Night under the Tulsa depot, but although Stevie Rae is accepted as the High Priestess of all the red fledglings by the Council, Duantia doesn't give a full answer regarding the request.

In the garden, Rephaim is visited by three of his Raven Mocker brothers, sent to him by Kalona to use his supposed misery and consequent bitterness to spy for him and even turn to Darkness. They are stunned to see him in his human form. Their meeting is interrupted by Aurox who kills one of them and proceeds to attack Rephaim. He is stopped by Stevie Rae, but not before she, Rephaim and Zoey see him half-shift into a bull. Neferet appears and diffuses the conflict, calling Aurox her gift from the Goddess.

Erik hears the commotion, but he falls under the Tracker compulsion before he can actually intervene. He finds Shaylin, a blind girl, and she makes him stumble over the traditional lines, so that when he finally marks her and she reveals a red Mark he blames himself. Shaylin recovers her eyesight and gains her first gift, the very rare True Sight, which allows a person to 'see' others in colors. Confused, Erik decides to take her to Stevie Rae. At the school, Zoey receives a visit from her grandmother, who confirms Linda's death and leaves for a seven-day period of mourning. Zoey runs off to mourn and Aurox finds her. He offers her a Kleenex, just like Heath used to. At the bus, Erik presents them with the girl. Neferet appears and Shaylin pretends to faint, later telling them she had the general color of dead fish eyes.