Chapter 14
Fourteen
Zellie
Iwake the following morning feeling even guiltier about my reunion with Jada.
She left without telling me when she was coming back, or without saying if she wanted to see me again.
I refuse to spend the day searching the city for her head of hair, especially now, as it appears portals from the other human planets have opened up.
Heads of white, black, and silver bob down the city streets, intermingling with the colorful array of Astralis residents.
Finding her would be like trying to catch a comet with your hands.
The Kosmos have been busy, I’ll give them that.
If I thought the looks of awe were too much from the Celestials and Astrals around the city, the weariness oozing off of the humans that pass me by has me drowning.
After stopping a human from Auralea to ask them where I could find the portal, I tripled my pace to get away from the crowds, making my way to the northern edge of the city.
The portal is easily spotted and has me rolling my eyes at the ridiculousness of the Kosmos’ theatrics.
Rather than the shimmering, hard-to-spot waves that I’m used to utilizing, the portal is a spectacle.
Shining lights point at the round entrance, where a colorful, swirling vortex dares me to enter.
I step forward, ready to head back to Lunara and find Jada, only to hit an invisible force.
Frowning, I try again, hitting the solid wall of air.
“What the fuck is this?” I mutter, pushing my hand against the air in an effort to access the portal.
The concealed barrier does not budge. Growling, I turn on my heels and march back into the city, knowing exactly who is behind this.
Chest heaving, I throw the doors to the throne room open.
Five of the Kosmos sit atop their thrones, including Pluto, who is engaged in a conversation.
Wait. Is that Jada? I swear on all the fucking stars that if he doesn’t leave her alone, I am going to light this entire fucking palace on fire.
It’s barely eight in the morning, how is she already here?
I stride to the dais like a solar flare bursting through a storm.
“Good morning, Zellie.” Pluto’s voice taunts me.
“Why can’t I access the portal?”
“‘Good morning, majesty,’ is the proper response when a Kosmo greets you.” Portia’s response grates on me as I grind my teeth together. Slowly, I turn my head towards her, looking her up and down before turning back to Pluto. She isn’t worthy of a response.
“Do you really think going to Lunara in your current form is wise?”
Heat envelops me as anger rushes through me, pounding in my ears. “Excuse me?”
“It would be a bit unsettling for the humans to see, don’t you think?”
“They can see me here.” I bite out each word as Jada’s eyes bounce between the two of us, wide with concern and confusion.
“Yes, however, your days are about to become much busier.” His voice sounds unbothered, yet amusement dances in his eyes. He’s toying with me.
“You cannot stop me from visiting my home. I’ll figure out how to star-shoot.”
“Lunara is warded against any form of entry from you, I’m afraid.”
“You can’t do this!” my voice is raised, but I don’t care.
“It’s for the greater good, Zellie. We can’t go upsetting the masses, can we?”
“Zellie, maybe he has a point. You’re not exactly recognizable…” Jada’s voice trails off as she sees my devastated expression. I’m still me. How dare she side with him?
“So I’m stuck here?”
There’s a pointed silence where Pluto stares at me expectantly, as if he is concocting ways to dispose of me in his head.
“What’s going on?” Orion stands near a side entrance, his hands in his pockets as he looks utterly unfazed. Unaffected save for the look in his eyes that warns me to calm down.
“They won’t let me go home!” I can’t control the whine that creeps into my tone.
While I’ve chosen to stay in Astralis, my reasoning centers around taking down the Kosmos.
I’m not sure I actively want to return to Lunara, but the idea of never being able to return, or to see people I’ve known my whole life, hollows me.
Especially when the choice is taken from me before I have the chance to make it myself.
Orion takes steady strides toward me before whispering in a hushed tone, “Calm yourself, will you? You can’t make a scene. I’m here.” I can’t explain it, but his presence alone comforts me. Knowing he’s here is as calming as gazing at the moon—steady and unwavering.
The throne room is silent, anticipating my next move, until the sound of Pluto’s cloak sweeping across the arm of his chair catches my attention above my thunderous heartbeat.
Gesturing toward me, he relays, “I was informing Zellie that we’ve found a position within the Hall for her and explaining why disrupting the human planets during a time of transition is not ideal. ”
I scoff in response, but Orion places a steady hand on my lower back, steadying me in more ways than one.
So much for choosing my occupation. “Will I be working with Orion?” If I have to suffer, we might as well do so together.
“No, it’s above his position.”
“What of his promotion?” Orion had signed on as my sponsor with the promise of a new position, should his chosen champion win the Games.
Pluto openly laughs in our faces. “No, he will not be receiving a promotion.”
“He was promised—”
“He also openly defied us. He is lucky to remain in his position of assisting the Order.” The other Kosmos take an interest in this, pausing from their conversations to openly scathe the two rebels before them. Jada’s biting her thumb uncertainly, astutely remaining quiet.
“It’s okay,” Orion murmurs beside me.
“What is the position, then?”
“Astral Cartographer. You will be responsible for mapping and tracking the constellations, as well as keeping an inventory of their current power levels. You can start on day one of the next cycle.” I want to laugh, but I don’t.
He intends this as a slap in the face—observe and maintain the very things that allow the Kosmos to remain in power.
They want me to be afraid, to not say anything about what I know.
Little do they know what’s coming for them.
With this position, I have an in now. I’ll have unrestricted access in the Hall and to the Kosmos.
This couldn’t have worked out better for me.
I smile, feral and unrestrained, like the monster they’ve unwittingly loosed from its cage. “Looking forward to it.” I pointedly look to Jada before turning to leave. She’s a smart girl; she can figure this out herself.
Orion shuffles into step next to me, not speaking until we exit the building entirely. “Well, I have one bit of good news.” His arm brushes mine as we walk, and stars, he smells so good. Why am I like an untamed animal near him these days?
“What’s that?”
“I’ve found the trove.”