Chapter Twenty-Four
We take a moment to ponder an efficient plan of action.
Ryder hasn’t stopped pacing. I guess he does this when he is deep in thought.
I’m starting to think the furrows in his brow are a permanent fixture.
But damn, he looks sexy all serious like this.
I stop myself from pining over him. That kiss wasn’t real.
It was just a distraction. I push down the feeling of rejection and slump back on the wooden bench.
Ryder’s pacing is making me dizzy. He keeps running his fingers through his blue-black hair, and I have to remind myself to look away every time his muscles flex.
I don’t know how he expects us to go safely into the void.
The butterfly didn’t survive, and I struggled to hold it open for a hawk, let alone two people.
“This might be a long shot, but when the room started changing, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were shifting realities.
” He pauses, and I stare back at him, dumbfounded.
“The room shook, and I could see another reality trying to peep through; it may be more like a portal than we thought,” he says, using his hands to help him explain.
He stares at me expectantly, as if I should be able to piece together the puzzle pieces in his mind.
I stare back at him blankly, and he continues when he realises I still have no clue what he is talking about.
“Asha, there’s a chance you might be able to project it onto a surface, making it easier for us to enter. ”
‘The Moon boy is smart.’ Oriah’s voice rings in my ears, followed by a small chuckle, and I leap to my feet in annoyance.
“Oriah! Seriously! You said you would be here for me when I needed you, but you disappeared on me. Radio silence! And I needed you!” I shout to the voice in my head. Ryder turns and looks at me; he must think I’m crazy.
‘Apologies, child, the Gods had all my attention in a last-minute meeting.’
“The Gods? I thought they were unaware of your awakening,” I question, remembering what she had said to me the night before.
‘As did I, child, but rumours spread like wildfire, and I had to set the stories straight.’ Her voice echoes through me; I can’t help but worry. If the Gods know about her, then they must know about me.
“Is that her?” Ryder asks before taking a seat on the bench next to me. “Is that Oriah?”
I nod to confirm. “What is she saying?”
“She said you are right.” He tilts his head, puzzled. “About the portal, you’re right.” I sigh a little and sit next to Ryder. “I just wish I knew how to use it.”
‘All in good time,’ Oriah butts in.
“We don’t have time, Oriah! River could be dying or, even worse, dead!” I snap back, thinking the worst.
‘He’s not dead, child, he’s in Astra Nova.’ Her voice is calm.
“Astra Nova?” I ask and can’t help noticing a hint of familiarity in Ryder’s eyes, like he recognises the name.
‘Yes, the plane between our world and yours. At your level, the portal is only strong enough to project there, but when you learn to fully harness your power, you will be able to travel all over.’
I can’t help but be relieved. This means River is alive, and we can get him back. Thank the Gods.
“But the butterfly.” If River is alive, how come the butterfly isn’t?
‘A butterfly is too small to handle the magnetic field that Astra Nova conducts. Unfortunate, I know, but these things happen; you mustn’t blame yourself.’ Another ember of guilt adds to the flames eating away at my conscience.
“Astra Nova, why have I heard that before?” Ryder asks, breaking me from my sorrow.
‘Astra Nova is the place you visited all those years ago when sky serpent venom rendered you unconscious.’
“Huh?! She’s in my head too!”
I turn to look at Ryder, who is completely dumbfounded. How is she doing that? I thought she only had access to my brain.
‘Don’t be alarmed, the venom that runs through your veins connects you to us. I created the sky serpents as a Gift to my people. When you survived that day, our connection was born.’
I place my hand on Ryder’s shoulder. ‘Why do you think you two have been drawn to one another? Asha could sense the Star in you before she even had her Gifts.’
“The dream and that first night in the woods, now it all makes sense,” I think aloud, and Ryder turns to face me, our knees briefly touching.
“So, you were stalking me,” Ryder jokes, and I playfully whack his arm. “I knew there was something about you.” He smiles, and a comfortable silence erupts. “So, Oriah, what is the best way to enter Astra Nova?”
‘It will be easier for Asha to project the void onto a sturdy object.’ Oriah is speaking to me and Ryder at the same time.
I’m still in disbelief at the depth of our connection.
This is more than just an attraction. Ever since I saw him that night with the blindfold, I knew there was something about him.
“Would a tree work?” I ask, taking to my feet and walking towards the closest tree.
‘Yes, that would work.’
Ryder rises to his feet and stands next to me. “Let’s just say, for argument’s sake, it does, Asha can’t seem to hold it for longer than five minutes.”
Thanks for the vote of confidence.
‘As long as you have Asha, you are safe. She does not need to keep the portal open; she is the portal.’
I’m getting antsy now and don’t want to delay for too long; otherwise, I’m afraid I will talk myself out of entering the portal.
“Okay then. Enough waiting around, let’s do this. Let’s get River out,” I chant, instilling motivation in Ryder and myself.
‘There is one thing you need to be cautious about, child. If you allow your thoughts to stray, you may become trapped in separate realities. You hold the key to escape, but there is a possibility Ryder will become lost forever.’
Oriah’s voice plays on repeat in my mind. I can’t lose Ryder too.
“I’ll go alone.” I look over at Ryder, who is just as startled by what Oriah has said. “It’s just too much pressure.”
“No. There’s no way you’ll be able to carry him out by yourself and control the portal. He’ll be a deadweight.”
I try to walk past Ryder, ignoring his pleas, but he stands in front of me, immovable. “It’s too dangerous,” I say, gripping his cheek, his body heat radiating off my cold hand.
“It’s not up for discussion. I’m coming with you,” he snaps and gestures to my hand. “Summon the portal.”
I hesitate for a moment but realise that there is probably nothing I can do to make him stay. I visualise the pot in my head again and turn on the metaphorical heat. I feel my right arm tingle as the pot heats up. The orb becomes present, and I watch as it pulses in my palm.
‘Getting better at that, aren’t you, child? Now manifest it onto that tree. You have to feel the energy transferring over.’
I stare at the tree in front of me and mentally take in its grooves and ridges, placing my hand carefully onto its rough bark, hoping to avoid splintering my fingers on its sharp edges.
I close my eyes, and I swear I can feel its heartbeat.
The wood creaks at me as the cool wind brushes through my auburn curls, and the mossy smells from the forest enrich my nostrils.
This is it. My hand heats up, and I feel my power transferring over.
I open my eyes and see the blackened orb growing in size against the tree trunk.
When it looks big enough for me and Ryder to squeeze through, I pull away, leaving the orb to stand freely by itself.
I can still feel the pressure in my hand, but its energy is all focused on the tree.
Ryder and I stand in awe at the unpredictable vortex.
I take hold of his hand and squeeze it tightly.
The strong pull of the vortex is compelling us forward.
“Astra Nova, here we come.” Ryder winks and squeezes my hand back before taking a step forward towards the portal.
I guess now is as good a time as any. I exhale and give in to the portal’s pull, and, in the blink of an eye, Ryder and I are wading into its depths.