Page 65 of In Between Darkness

‘The Moon boy is smart.’Oriah’s voice rings in my ears, followed by a small chuckle, and I leap to my feet in annoyance.

“Oriah! Seriously! You said you would be here for me when I needed you, but you disappeared on me. Radio silence! And I needed you!” I shout to the voice in my head. Ryder turns and looks at me; he must think I’m crazy.

‘Apologies, child, the Gods had all my attention in a last-minute meeting.’

“The Gods? I thought they were unaware of your awakening,” I question, remembering what she had said to me the night before.

‘As did I, child, but rumours spread like wildfire, and I had to set the stories straight.’Her voice echoes through me; I can’t help but worry. If the Gods know about her, then they must know about me.

“Is that her?” Ryder asks before taking a seat on the bench next to me. “Is that Oriah?”

I nod to confirm. “What is she saying?”

“She said you are right.” He tilts his head, puzzled. “About the portal, you’re right.” I sigh a little and sit next to Ryder. “I just wish I knew how to use it.”

‘All in good time,’Oriah butts in.

“We don’t have time, Oriah! River could be dying or, even worse, dead!” I snap back, thinking the worst.

‘He’s not dead, child, he’s in Astra Nova.’Her voice is calm.

“Astra Nova?” I ask and can’t help noticing a hint of familiarity in Ryder’s eyes, like he recognises the name.

‘Yes, the plane between our world and yours. At your level, the portal is only strong enough to project there, but when you learn to fully harness your power, you will be able to travel all over.’

I can’t help but be relieved. This means River is alive, and we can get him back. Thank the Gods.

“But the butterfly.” If River is alive, how come the butterfly isn’t?

‘A butterfly is too small to handle the magnetic field that Astra Nova conducts. Unfortunate, I know, but these things happen; you mustn’t blame yourself.’Another ember of guilt adds to the flames eating away at my conscience.

“Astra Nova, why have I heard that before?” Ryder asks, breaking me from my sorrow.

‘Astra Nova is the place you visited all those years ago when sky serpent venom rendered you unconscious.’

“Huh?! She’s in my head too!”

I turn to look at Ryder, who is completely dumbfounded. How is she doing that? I thought she only had access to my brain.

‘Don’t be alarmed, the venom that runs through your veins connects you to us. I created the sky serpents as a Gift to my people. When you survived that day, our connection was born.’

I place my hand on Ryder’s shoulder. ‘Why do you think you two have been drawn to one another? Asha could sense the Star in you before she even had her Gifts.’

“The dream and that first night in the woods, now it all makes sense,” I think aloud, and Ryder turns to face me, our knees briefly touching.

“So, youwerestalking me,” Ryder jokes, and I playfully whack his arm. “I knew there was something about you.” He smiles, and a comfortable silence erupts. “So, Oriah, what is the best way to enter Astra Nova?”

‘It will be easier for Asha to project the void onto a sturdy object.’Oriah is speaking to me and Ryder at the same time. I’m still in disbelief at the depth of our connection. This is morethan just an attraction. Ever since I saw him that night with the blindfold, I knew there was something about him.

“Would a tree work?” I ask, taking to my feet and walking towards the closest tree.

‘Yes, that would work.’

Ryder rises to his feet and stands next to me. “Let’s just say, for argument’s sake, it does, Asha can’t seem to hold it for longer than five minutes.”

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

‘As long as you have Asha, you are safe. She does not need to keep the portal open; she is the portal.’