How in the fuck had she shadow walked like this? And to me of all places? How had she even found me? But the most important question of them all slipped through my lips as I tucked one of her loose curls behind her ear.
“Who did this to you, Little Void?”
She didn’t answer, but her odd cat meowed at my side before rubbing against me and beginning to purr.
“What was your name again? Murder?” The cat stilled, looking up at me with piercing yellow eyes. “Apologies. Remembering your name wasn’t something I deemed pertinent before.”
Just then, a pounding came at my front door. This time, the visitor was expected.
“Come in!”
Maitoza walked in, excitement lighting her eyes as she took in the sight of Tershetta.
“We had been hoping to get her,” she admitted, her voice delighted. She neared me, bending down onto her knees as I continued to heal Tershetta.
“It’s not her fight,” I shot back, uncharacteristically defensive. Maitoza chuckled, bringing her hand up and touching Tershetta’s cheek. Why did that bother me?
“If it’s not Nova’s, then whose is it?” she asked, her tone taunting.
Jaw clenched, I shot back, “She’s been through enough. She’s hurt and clearly has suffered. Look at her for stars’ sake.”
“We’ve all loved and lost. And we will suffer even more yet.”
“She deserves a moment of peace.”
Maitoza’s eyes met mine, her head titling to the side. I watched as she peered at the way I held Tershetta, a toothy smile widening her face. “Careful, Azazel, it almost seems like you care.”
I didn’t bother to acknowledge that. It was a ridiculous thing to say. I didn’t care about Tershetta. All I wanted was the future I sought out. Momentarily, my gaze flitted to the glass ball on the wooden table beside my bed. “Just give us time to convince her.”
“I can allow you time, but the rebels will continue to grow angry. We need to move with precision and intent as we take ournext steps,” Maitoza’s hand once again went to Tershetta’s face, stroking her cheek fondly, dark eyes glazed as if she were staring through her. “Whatever is next, it’s clear that the stars sent her to us as a gift. They have a plan, and we are following it.”
A plan? The stars never planned. Anyone with half a brain knew that.
“For someone who is fighting the will of the stars, you sure do seem to believe in and worship them.”
“I’ve told you before. Our fight isn’t with the stars, but those who have weaponized them.” As always, she sounded defensive. Her tone was sharp, her teeth clenched and nostrils flaring. “The core families have long since utilized religion and hope to manipulate the masses. They’ve continually decided to pick and choose which aspects suit their needs and narrative. But the stars don’t truly want such destruction.”
“Maybe they do.”
Maitoza looked at Tershetta, the fury fading as an eager smile lifted her cheeks. “We’ll know for sure soon enough.”
Another knock came, the person on the other side not waiting for me to allow them entry before bursting in. I had expected her, but I wasn’t sure how she’d react to the sight of Tershetta before her.
Horror and pain seemed to pour off her, dripping down her face and making it droop. She shook as she ran toward us, tears welling in her grey eyes. With my own emotions rising, I couldn’t help but watch as she bit onto her lip, hands going to her dark curls, knees giving out.
“Starlight,” she cried.
