Chapter Thirteen
Nova
“General Altair lost the stars’ essence. There were whispers around the shops that the core families are growing weaker. Maybe I’ll get the stars one day and show all the shaytan that even an of eadi can make them cower when given the chance.”
“You know, your sister once told me that you’d never join our cause.” Commander Maitoza’s voice was soft, though the words felt painfully sharp. I didn’t dare to look at her, instead facing forward and reluctantly picturing Celeste’s face when she said that.
The worst part was that she was right. I wouldn’t consider being part of the rebellion if it wasn’t for her death.
If I hadn’t lost Celeste, then I’d still be selfishly clinging to any semblance of normality I could.
I’d sit in the discomfort we were so used to, perfectly happy to ruin my soul rather than lose them.
In the end, I wasn’t any better than Altair.
At least he’d had an excuse. A reason not to know better.
Maybe that was why Celeste hated me so much.
“When did Celeste first come to you?”
“Oh, I don’t know, a year ago maybe? Not long.”
A year? So then it was around the time I began prepping for the shadow ritual. Of course. “How did she find you?”
“Everyone finds us the same way, attending one of our protests. We have an extensive vetting process, but nothing impossible. We just like to be careful who we let join.” Doubtful, if she went out of her way to recruit Altair.
“This right here is our cafeteria. Every single rebel—Azazel aside—dines here for all three scheduled meals. I find it brings a sense of unity and trust to our movement.”
“Your army.”
Maitoza stilled, her head tilting to the side and her smile falling into a grimace.
“Excuse me?”
“This isn’t a movement. It’s an army. You have uniforms. Barracks. Trained soldiers. Leadership. Titles. This is a military force.” Why was she denying that? It was obvious. Anyone with half a brain would know better than to suggest this was anything else.
“No, Nova. You see, we aren’t like the cores.
We’re not gathering in order to suppress.
Our goal is to liberate the world. All of Dajahim stands to gain if the rebel movement succeeds.
This is not some brute force that will control and demolish.
We will free all eadi from their shackles and pave the path for something greater. ”
Her smile returned, if only a fraction. Perhaps she could see the way my brows stitched together. How my upper lip lifted ever so slightly and my body tensed. Or maybe she’d heard General Altair speak before, and she knew exactly who she sounded like.
“Whatever you say.” It was the wrong answer, because, suddenly, Maitoza’s entire demeanor changed. It shifted from false kindness to outright distaste. Her face fell, sagging into a frown and half-lidded gaze. When she took a step towards me, I didn’t dare step back.
“What are the stars saying? What do they whisper to you?” Her hand snatched my wrist nearest her, her fingers warm and calloused. “Tell me what they think of the rebellion. What they think of me.”
In truth, they hadn’t said anything since we argued hours earlier. Though, they were listening now. Of course they were, dramatic menaces.
“They aren’t saying anything. Let me go!” Ripping my arm away from her, I quickly stepped away, holding my sore wrist and glaring at the commander. Just like that, her expression tightened, the smile forced as she tried to recollect herself with shallow breaths and clearly clenched teeth.
“Apologies, I do get a bit excited when it comes to the stars. Shall we continue our tour?” She pivoted, turning to face the building to the west and walking without looking back to see if I’d follow.
While I did, I made sure to stay slightly behind her, not wanting to be surprised again by her grabby fingers.
Are you going to tell me what you think of the commander?
“Eh. She’s uninteresting mostly. When will you find your snake again? He’s more exciting.”
Altair? What’s so exciting about him?
“Oh, our catalyst is being nice now. What a change in pace.”
Ha ha.
They truly did laugh then, the sound so sharp it sounded like a hiss.
“Have you ever asked yourself what will happen when a winner rises from the ashes of this civil war, Nova Tershetta?”
Maitoza stopped in front of the building, gesturing to the door. “This is our educational center. We work on training new soldiers and honing any skills they might possess that will benefit the cause.”
I nodded, not speaking. Unimpressed by my reaction, she headed for the next building.
What makes you call it a civil war? More of an uprising if you ask me.
“You would think that. But we’ve seen civilizations rise and fall. We’ve seen species come and go. We’ve seen war and we’ve seen revolutions. What looms is war.”
“These are our housing quarters for single and childless rebels. Families with children stay on the other side, where larger housing accommodations have been restored.” The building reminded me of the barracks.
So much so that I could’ve sworn I heard the sound of my feet crashing upon the stone stairs.
“That’s kind of you.”
“We do what we can to make life here happy and safe.” Her words were clipped, tone flat. I’d really pissed her off then.
“Answer us, Nova Tershetta. What do you think happens when a winner rises?”
Their words were sharp in my mind, echoing across my skull. And as I watched Commander Maitoza walk towards the next building, I realized I already knew the answer.
A new reign of terror is built upon the old.
“Exactly right. And we get our entertainment either way.”
“This is where our leadership meets,” she said, gesturing to a smaller building.
It was a single story made of the same brick that the other buildings had.
The windows were narrow and the roof was flat, like a box someone would be shoved inside and never leave.
“Would you like to attend our next one? Just to get a better understanding of exactly what this rebellion represents?”
In my head, I repeated the same thing.
A new reign of terror is built upon the old.
“Yes, Altair and I would love to come.”
The commander gritted her teeth, her nostrils flaring as she faced me head-on. But she still nodded, her eyes squinted and her hands wrapping behind her back.
“Excellent.”
“About my sister—“
“We can talk again after the meeting. For now, let’s finish up the tour and get you back to Azazel.”
Silently nodding, knowing I had both won and lost, I followed.