Chapter 37
Thirty-seven
“Three rounds that had us on the edge of our seats, isn’t that right?
” Pluto speaks to the crowd as if he were speaking to each person individually.
He’s charming, captivating them. Total nonsense, obviously, but someone has to be the captain of bullshit.
I wince, my shoulder throbbing. Orion had placed some magicked bandages on my wounds to slow the bleeding, but the pain remained.
I’ll need to see a healer as soon as they’re done parading us around like their prized possessions.
“All nine contestants will move on to the third game; however, they were unsuccessful in obtaining all potential moonstone fragments in this challenge.” Fuck off, Pluto. I’d love to see him balancing on a suspended beam, fighting for his life without using his stupid magic to aid him.
“The moonstone tally is:
Leo Vance: two
Solene Lox: two
Zellie Toro: one
“Three games remain, with five shards needed to restore the constellation. We look forward to seeing your performance in the next game, contestants. Until then, rest and prepare. May the stars guide you; the constellations are the only constant.”
I hope Pluto despises the fact that Leo is tied for the lead after our little “stunt”.
If I can’t pull off a win, I trust that he can.
Then, we’re coming for the Kosmos. I’m fuming following my loss to Solene.
The sad part is, I admire her strength and could see us being friends in another life.
Well, at least I could have seen that… before she repeatedly stabbed me.
Leo keeps casting concerned looks in my direction.
Shaking my head, I try to convey “not now”.
I don’t have the energy. I’m so fucking tired—I’m physically exhausted, injured, and dealing with the emotional turmoil of being an active participant in these fucked-up games in a city glamoured with pretty lies.
Ugly truths don’t stay hidden, and I intend to expose each one of them.
I may be a human facing a corrupt magical system, but with each passing day, my conviction to tear it down and rebuild grows.
Never underestimate a female with fury in her veins.
We’re ushered out into our individually waiting hovercrafts. Orion grips my elbow to support my growing limp. I hoist myself into the vehicle with a grunt, letting my body fall back onto the seat cushion. He joins me—the door sliding shut, sealing the world out.
“Well, I’ll just say it. The last-ditch effort at the end? Fantastic. You showed her.”
I close my eyes and tightly say, “I don’t need you mocking me right now, Orion.”
“What happened up there, Zellie? You didn’t touch your dagger, you didn’t go for any of the zones we talked about; it was a free-for-all—”
“I am not a fucking robot. I am a human being. Sorry, I can’t perform perfectly to your standards.”
“Zell… that’s not what I meant,” Orion sighs, dragging his hand over his face. “From what I observed, it seemed like you let your anger get the better of you. It happens to all of us, Zi. Human, Astral… doesn’t matter.”
“I’m sorry. I chose the wrong tactic.”
“There’s always next time; don’t beat yourself up about it.” When I don’t respond, he adds, “I’ll have a healer waiting in your apartment to look at those injuries.”
“Thank you.”
“Anything for you.”
After stitching my shoulder and healing the gash on my thigh, the healer advised me to “take it easy” and to avoid submerging my shoulder for twenty-four hours.
Leo arrived just as the healer was leaving.
We’re quiet, and I appreciate the time and space he gives me to process.
He’s so attentive, knowing precisely what I need and how to support me best. It’s a simple feeling, this comfort, one that I feel taking root in my heart.
I fill the bath halfway and wash away the dried blood while Leo washes my hair, massaging my head as he rinses the suds away. I lean into his touch, relishing the way his hands feel on me. “Watching you today was terrifying.”
My eyes open as I watch his expression above me, one of pure agony. “I knew that a net would catch you, but seeing you in a free fall like that? It was fucking horrible.”
“I was a wreck watching you, too.” He finishes rinsing and places a soft kiss on my forehead.
“It made me realize,” he stops, clearing emotion from his throat. “I can’t lose you, Zell. You’re all I have.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I whisper, reaching above to run my hands through his hair.
“We will be okay. As long as we have each other, we will be okay.”
I embrace his promise, letting his words uplift me. As my lips meet his, I realize Lunara may not be my home at all. Home has taken on a human form.
We will be okay.