Chapter 46
Forty-six
Zellie
“What are you talking about?” Jada nervously chuckles, standing up and away from me.
“Think about it, Jay. You have the blue eyes. It’s clearly talking about a human Libra. I don’t know anyone more fair or kind than you.”
“Zellie,” she scoffs, “do you know how many Libras there must be in all the galaxies?”
I lean back on the couch, resigned, and grab my glass of water. “It’s worth a shot. What’s the worst that could happen?”
What I want to say is that if we don’t exhaust the only viable option we have, we’re at a fucking standstill.
We have no idea what the prophecy means, and short of storming the Cosmic Hall and assassinating Pluto, we’re out of options.
We have no army, we have a small—but growing—rebellion.
And we have me. Battered and broken, but still trying. That counts for something.
“You’re not wrong.” She chews on her lip as she considers. “I’ll try it.” Mindlessly, she plays with the end of her hair. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Not particularly.”
“You can’t keep it all in.”
“Jay, a few hours ago, I may as well have been locked up in a cage. Now I’m here.
I haven’t had more than a moment to myself.
I appreciate you being concerned and I’m so, so fucking grateful for everything you all did.
But… I need some time to process and sort through it all before I can begin to talk about it.
” You don’t want to know the depths of my despair.
“You’re right,” she exhales loudly. “I’m sorry. I need to make sure you’re okay.”
Exhaustion crashes into me, the weight of everything that has happened weighing me down and draining me. “I will be. Let’s go check out the prophecy.”
“No, not now. You need to rest.”
“The last thing I want to do right now is sleep.” I’m a coward who is afraid of my nightmares.
“It will be a good distraction. Gives me something to focus on. Come on.” I force myself to sit up and push off the cushions, my limbs wobbling with the effort to stand and walk.
I hate how weak I’ve become in such a short period of time.
Jada either senses my struggle or wishes to physically comfort me—either way, I’m grateful for the support as she loops her arm through mine, allowing her body to carry most of my weight as we walk down the darkened tunnel.
In what I’m calling the security room, Orion, Brinn, Leo, and Lando are huddled around a table while Seb and Elio monitor video surveillance across multiple screens. Brinn straightens, offering me a bright smile. “Happy to have you back.”
“Glad to be back. I can’t thank you all enough for risking yourselves to save me. I’ll never be able to repay the favor.”
“Zellie, stop. You already have.” She moves to place her hand on my arm, but I step out of reach. Not all cuts are skin deep. Orion and Leo track the movement—Orion out of worry; Leo out of acknowledgment. What did he suffer at the hands of the Kosmos?
Orion speaks first. “Are you alright?” How many times am I going to have to hear this question?
“Stop coddling her, Orion.” Lando throws the words over his shoulder, not bothering to break his attention from whatever is on the table.
“I’m not coddling. She was captured, Lando. Have some fucking empathy.”
“This is the dream that she chose. Did she think the role wouldn’t come with responsibilities?”
The words are daggers to my heart. “Do you think ‘I chose’ to be captured, Lando? Do you think I wanted to be ripped apart, piece by piece?”
“You’re the face of freedom, Zellie. That doesn’t come without a cost.”
“We have all fucking paid enough—but Zellie, most of all. Do not dishonor her or what she has been through by suggesting otherwise.” Leo’s voice is smooth, deadly.
No one dares to breathe. Finally, Jada’s melodic words break through the silence. “Let’s all take a breath.”
Changing the subject, I ask. “How did you evade them?” How did they achieve the impossible?
Orion speaks, the plan pouring from him like a commander with memorized instructions.
“Brinn created a diversion above, allowing them to believe the tome was with her. She utilized the tunnels to duck in and out safely, keeping out of sight but managing to spread the word about a “life-changing prophecy” to anyone who would listen.” Brinn proudly beams—rightfully so, she lured Pluto away.
“Seb monitored the entrance to ensure the Kosmos were out of sight, leaving only guards. Leo used his fancy new magic to create a smokescreen, so they didn’t see us coming.
Lando and I took out the guards. Jada insisted on coming…
” She glares at him, causing him to add, “and provided emotional support.” A laugh escapes me at this, the entire room feeling lighter.
“We, of course, have Elio to thank for revealing your location. I’m not sure how much longer it would have taken to find you, otherwise. ”
“Thank you,” I offer in way of an apology as well as my gratitude. His bright blue eyes blink as he descends his head in a small nod. “I had some… time to consider the prophecy. I think Jada should hold the tome and take another look.”
Lando shifts, revealing the book of ancient wonder sitting idly on the table. He gestures to Jada, “It’s all yours.”