Page 7 of Bonds of Starfall

She could get through this. She was not weak.

"The Nova Zones across Solar City, and beyond, are monitored so no contained Rogues will escape, but there is always one who slips through the cracks, wreaking havoc on innocent civilians," said the President. "You will accept your missions when they arise and work with your assigned team to neutralize the threat. Failure to complete your missions successfully results in contract termination, and failure to uphold the rules of the Hunter’s Guild Academy results indishonorable discharge. Your teams will go over the rules with you. But future Hunters, if this is not the path for you, resign now. We do not cater to those who are not fully committed to fighting the Rogues and giving their lives to help others."

The audience was silent. Rin felt Kit’s stare burn holes into the side of her face. He didn’t want this for her, but nothing would stop her from forging ahead.

"With that said, I congratulate you all. Welcome, future Hunters, and remember, the fate of our Earth is in your hands."

The whole audience erupted in applause, the boom of the clapping hands making Rin’s ears ring. She was so overwhelmed that she barely registered her own hands clapping weakly, her heart giving a soft twinge in her chest.

The President held his hands before him to quell the audience. "Settle down, settle down. Thank you," he said into the microphone. "If you all would direct your attention to the hologram behind me to see your assigned teams."

And with that, he stepped aside, standing at attention beside the team leaders.

On the blue flickering hologram, replacing the Hunter’s Guild insignia, faces appeared, one after the next, names and teams as the recruits received their assignments.

Rin waited with bated breath to see her own name flicker across.

Finally, projected out to the crowd, she saw her own face. The holographic image of herself was pale and expressionless, with white hair framing grey eyes and skin nearly as colorless.Vesperin Blackfall, it read. Her eyes fell to the information written under it: her Stella ranking of level one, projected for everyone to see. Her cheeks warmed with shame.

But below that, her assigned team.

All the breath left her in a relieved exhale.

Alpha Team.

2

ANOMALY

When Rin saw Kit’s face in the swarm of people, she practically ran to him. Relief filled her at the sight of her best friend.

He hugged her, and she wrapped her arms around his waist, holding tightly.

"Thank you for being here." Her words were muffled against the stiff material of his pilot’s uniform.

Kit’s hand soothed over her back. She had to strain to hear him over the chatter of the crowd. "Always, sprite."

He released her, and she stepped back, noticing the bouquet of Nightfell roses clutched in his hand.

"For me?" She inclined her head to the bouquet of pointed-petaled flowers, wrapped with a strand of black velvet around the stems.

The dark purple and black roses had always reminded Rin of Kit’s last name—now hers, too. Though her memories were foggy, Rin recalled that when they were kids, she used to pick Nightfell roses that grew on the outskirts of the playground at their school, crushing the petals and scattering them around him.

Now that the Admittance Ceremony and speeches were over, the lights were on, and she could count every freckle that was scattered across Kit’s nose as he stood before her.

He extended the Nightfell roses. "Just don’t crush the petals again. I don’t want my uniform to be stained."

She took the flowers from him, inhaling the thick jasmine-like scent. "Thank you."

Rin knew it was hard for him to be here, but he had done it anyway.

"Only the best for you." Kit leaned forward to be heard as the family nearby loudly congratulated a young man who stood proudly in their midst. "So tell me, where does the newest trainee of the Alpha Team want to go to celebrate?"

"Where are Sabine and Talor?" she asked, trying not to sound disappointed.

Kit sighed. "On a research trip. Off-planet this time. I don’t know when they’ll be back." His tone was apathetic, but Rin knew better. Kit had a strange relationship with his parents. They pushed him to be the greatest, and Rin saw the effects of that firsthand. He worked so hard for their validation, but the best they could do was the occasional text or call.

She didn’t even know the last time she had heard them tell him,I love you.