Chapter 6
Six
“Her vitals are trending positive. The first star-shooting experience can take a toll on the human body. Give her time.” A hushed female voice wakes me, and my body immediately tenses, recalling the uncomfortable disappearing act that just occurred.
Did that really happen? How long have I been out?
My body aches as I shift, keeping my eyes closed.
If this pain is any indication, I’m still alive.
Was it a dream? My head throbs as I try to make sense of my confusion.
A deep male voice replies, “Excellent, what about the others?”
“The last two arrived shortly after her…” The conversation trails off as the two who were hovering move further away.
Stars, where am I? Staying on my back and moving as little as possible, I dare to peek an eye open and look to the side to take in my surroundings.
I push past my disoriented state, taking in as many details as possible.
The room is dark except for glowing pod-like structures spread throughout.
I glance up towards the ceiling to realize that I, too, am in one of these glowing pods.
I startle as a wireless square machine hovers into my line of sight.
The machine is soundless, and I watch, entranced by the contraption, as a light projects and traces the length of my body before floating away.
Floating machines—I must be dreaming. I swallow roughly, my throat parched.
My eyes trail down to my arm, where a tube sticks out of my hand.
“Just replenishing some electrolytes and your hydration levels. Your body overheated when you star-shot.” The same female voice I first heard has returned.
My eyes warily flick to where she is standing as I take her in.
Stars above, she’s otherworldly. Her body shines with an ethereal glow; her eyes shimmer a vibrant green, and her hair is silky, smooth, and a rich, deep red—not silver.
I blink slowly, taking in the full color.
She smiles, and I find myself entranced by her presence.
Softly, she laughs, placing a hand over her chest, the other holding a tablet.
“My name is Pia. I’m a healer. To be transparent, I’m pushing my calming energy towards you, which you should be experiencing right about now. ”
She lost me at calming energy. I swallow once more. Why does my throat feel like it went through Jarvis’s vegetable shredder? “You can do that? Is this a dream?”
Pia nods slowly, looking as if she is intentionally choosing her following words. “No, Zellie, you are not dreaming. I am a Celestial, not a human like you.”
Right. That explains so much. What the fuck is a Celestial? “Oh.” I grimace as I begin to understand how disadvantaged I am in this situation. I don’t know anything.
The healer looks away to break the awkward tension floating between us. Sorry, Pia, that’s the best I can come up with at the moment. You'd be giving one-word answers, too, if you were in my shoes. “What’s a star-shot?”
Another soft smile. Pia’s patience knows no bounds. “It’s a means of transportation around here. You know, like a shooting star?” I stare dumbly back at her. “The Kosmos would have arranged for the transport. Did you absorb any stardust when you received your invitation?”
Oh, the glitter bomb surprise. “Yeah. Right in my eyes.” I grumble, causing a slight giggle to escape from Pia. At least she’s amused.
“Yes, that must have been it. The stardust magically linked you to a star. The star gave you a lift at a set time chosen by the Kosmos to take you here.” Pia clasps her hands in front of her, shifting the weight from one foot to the other.
“Can I ask where ‘here’ is?”
“Astralis—the City of Wonder.”
Pia says this with such pride, as if I should be filled with excitement. Instead, all I feel is a swift rising irritation. How have I lived my entire life knowing so little about the universe outside of Lunara? So much for her calming energy helping me. “I can’t say I’ve heard of it.”
Her face falls dramatically, and I’m pretty sure I’ve worn out my welcome.
“Yes, well, your last scan showed your levels are stabilized. An associate of the Order will be in shortly to explain more and get you settled. Best of luck in the Games. Stay safe.” With a curt nod, she turns on her feet and walks away.
Wait. Stay safe? The invitation failed to mention anything about danger.
I huff quietly, breathing out through my nose.
My free will is nonexistent in this situation.
Guess I’ll just lie here and wait for whatever insanity comes next.
The hovering machine comes once more as I eavesdrop on several other hushed conversations.
The pods provide privacy, so I’m unable to determine who else is stuck in this disastrous circumstance.
I must nod off at some point, because I’m woken by a male clearing his throat.
My eyes snap open, blinking away the sleepiness.
As he comes into view, my heart skips. He is, by far, the most handsome man I have ever encountered.
Tall and broad with deeply tanned skin, his hazel eyes reflected a multitude of colors, and his short golden hair looked effortlessly styled.
The strands are so gold, I can’t look away from the color.
His lips are full, upturned as he takes me in.
The ethereal glow that seems to emanate from Pia also surrounds him.
He carries the arrogance of someone of high importance. He looks at me smugly, but I refuse to feel nervous in his presence. With false bravado, I clear my throat and speak. “Come to whisk me away, have you?”
His superior smile widens. “Not quite.”
“Well, that’s too bad.” Feigning indifference, I cast my gaze to the ceiling.
“You mask your fear well, for a human.”
Interesting. “Is that supposed to be a compliment?” I ask, propping myself up on my elbows.
His expression does not falter. “Yes.” My snort is the only response he’s getting. His eyebrows pop up towards his hairline at my lack of appreciation. “I knew you were a good choice.”
“Are you—”
“A Kosmo? No. An Astral. I work closely with the Kosmos.”
“Do you have a name?”
“Orion.”
“Alright then, Orion, what comes next?”