Chapter 49
Forty-nine
Jada
We spend the remainder of the day preparing for our mission.
Lando and Seb sneak out into the world above to collect rations while Orion and Zellie star-shoot to Orion’s apartment.
Leo meanders above ground, maintaining appearances to avoid drawing suspicion.
Brinn, Elio, and I are left behind, anxiously awaiting what’s to come.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to come?” Brinn asks for what feels like the fiftieth time.
“Yes, I’m sure. You’re the key point of contact with the rebellion. I need you to monitor what I’ve started on Lunara. Have you checked in with your family since the bakery was destroyed? Are they okay?”
“Yes, thankfully. I told them to lie low for the time being, though. Pluto is unhinged lately; there’s no telling what he may do next. Either the Kosmos are unaware of their existence or they simply targeted the shop due to the Children of the Constellation meeting there.”
“Good—probably for the best.”
“Where will you go?” We had managed to find an older map outlining the constellations and tracking their movements, so I had the general gist of the direction Elio and I needed to head in.
“I’m assuming when we star-shoot to the tip of the Scales, we will find where we need to go.”
“You can’t mindlessly star-shoot and hope to land in the right spot.”
“Do you have a better idea? I’m not sure ransacking the Cosmic Hall’s records is an option for us at the moment.”
She sighs, twisting the end of a purple curl. “You’re right—I’m nervous. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
I’ve never been the courageous type, so with a wishful heart I manifest, “I’ll be fine.”
The group returns later in the evening, the seven of us crammed around Seb’s small table.
Zellie looks noticeably cleaner with some color returned to her skin.
Not her eyes, though—her eyes hold a burden that makes me shudder.
I don’t know how to help her; even Orion seems to be struggling with reaching her.
At least she’s here, safe, even if she’s keeping us all at a distance.
Guilt eats at me that we’ve so quickly moved on from what she’s endured and her recovery to the prophecy and me.
She deserves the time and attention to work through her trauma; instead, the group is focused on ensuring the prophecy comes true.
Everything is happening so quickly. My life has become a series of defining moments that are happening with each blink of my eyes.
I watch the way she and Orion look at each other; such love and longing shining in their eyes.
Seb, who was forced into hiding. Brinn, whose dream has been shattered.
Elio, who wants to do right by what his people first promised.
Leo… supposedly, he was only trying to protect the one he loved.
He’s paid the price. Lando—well, not sure what that crabby male actually wants, but he’s here, risking his life too.
They all deserve peace. Our people deserve fairness.
Humanity deserves justice. For them, I will brave this journey.
Elio and I plan to leave early the next morning, and the team discusses the side effects of star-shooting and what to expect.
They really hyped it up for me. Definitely looking forward to feeling like I’m on fire and I can’t breathe; what a way to start a life-altering journey.
Brinn and Zellie give me extra-long hugs before we settle in our cots for the night.
“I should be going with you,” Zellie admits.
“Zell-Bell. You’ve done enough. It’s my turn now.”
“Who knew you’d be such a little rebel.” She’s attempting to lighten the mood, but her words stir up a truth deep within me.
“It was time to stop pleasing everyone else and keeping the peace. It’s time to do what is best for me. My soul has been pulling me in this direction for some time now. It’s just an added bonus that it helps out all of the galaxies.”
“I’m proud of you,” she whispers, tears filling her swirling eyes.
My heart lurches, emotion clogging my throat as I reminisce on how far we’ve both come. We’re not two girls wreaking havoc on Lunara anymore. No, we’ve unleashed ourselves on the worlds.
“I’m proud of you, too.”
“Be safe. I love you.”
“Love you most.”
As I crawl onto the small cot and wait for sleep to claim me, I can’t help but feel blessed by the hands of destiny that steered me onto this path. I felt like it was meant for me—now I will make it happen.
I will do whatever it takes.