Page 19 of Starfall

Behind him, a luminous silver flashed before returning us to the shadows. A heaviness sat in the air, and I instinctively tried to inch away, only to be reminded of my imprisonment.

The Eternal wouldn’t hold me in place. He would welcome me into his arms.

I am not your beloved Eternal , he growled, seeming to read my thoughts. And thank the heavens for that.

“What does that mean?” No one spoke of the Eternal in such a way. With such hatred and blatant disdain. Like he was some illness one feared catching.

The stranger sauntered closer, his looming body soon hovering above. So tall, I had to crane my neck, his deep exhales close enough to make out. It made him sound more like a beast set to devour me .

“Why can’t I see you?” I asked, agitated that the night continued to shield his face.

Do you wish to see me? he asked, and I sensed a smile in his voice. I narrowed my gaze, irritated by his pleasure.

“Only cowards hide behind masks,” I said boldly, my palms slick with sweat. If this wasn’t a dream, the entity before me might harm me. And here I stood, insulting him. If anyone knew the power of the divine, it was me, and this man felt far too real for my comfort.

I clenched my fists, readying for an attack, my instincts screaming at me to run, though that was impossible. My arms and legs were helplessly pinned in place like a butterfly’s wings.

I barely made out how his head cocked to the side. You’ll see my face soon enough. He chuckled, the noise echoing in the ethereal space we occupied. I have a feeling you won’t be so frightened then .

My lips parted at his audacity and what he implied. “I doubt it.”

My neck muscles burned from maintaining my position, but I refused to back down. He stood too close, his broad chest mere inches from my own.

While you believe I want to frighten you now, that isn’t the case . He lifted a hand and brought it to my cheek. I held still, my skin tingling as he ran a glacial finger down the curve of my cheek and to my chin. A rumbling noise of approval left him.

You are the first mind I’ve slipped into, he mused, his thumb and forefinger grasping my chin. It was gentle, his touch, almost reverent. I find you quite fascinating.

“Get out of my head,” I demanded, my jaw tensing.

I wanted to scream. To smack him. But my arms remained at my sides, useless.

The man sighed heavily and dropped his hand. He surprised me when he stepped back, creating distance between us. The relieved exhale that left me reached my ears. I was sure he heard it as well.

I do not mean to cause you harm or distress, which I clearly have. He took yet another step back, this one generous.

I briefly shut my eyes before asking, “ Are you real?”

My breath hitched as I awaited his answer. Like a cat toying with its prey, he took his time, the silence stretching between us.

I am as real as you are , he replied, much to my dismay.

But surely that was what a nightmare would say?

He laughed, shaking his head. You’ll see that I am no nightmare . I will be your salvation.

Salvation.

My limbs shook, true terror racing through my veins. I wondered if he was the reason my mission had failed—did the Eternal know of this mysterious monster hidden in shadows?

I squinted in the dim, making out the bottom of a man’s jaw, a dusting of stubble coating his chin. It appeared light, almost a silver or white shade. I noted with curiosity that it was a young man’s jaw—strong and sharp.

Oh, Ari . My name on his lips stole my air. He switched between reverence and teasing, his mercurial mood setting me on edge. If you grant the boy’s wish, you condemn yourself to a fate worse than any death. Unless you’re brave enough to fight…

“Fight?” Fight what ? “Who are you?” My hands shook uncontrollably, and I clenched them tighter, willing myself to sound fearless. I’d never experienced a dream of my own, let alone a nightmare.

I told you that you aren’t dreaming .

“And you also said you’re inside my mind.” I swallowed thickly. “Are you reading my thoughts now?” I already knew the answer.

You’re all but projecting your thoughts. You foolishly wear every emotion plainly on your face. Which is surprisingly pleasant.

I abhorred that heat flushed my skin.

Unfortunately, you’re practically a beacon, and when he finds you, he’ll break you so easily.

Who would break me?

You have so much to learn, little star, so much potential to reveal if you’re the one I’ve been waiting for. The soul that can match my own. The equal that can right this world.

“Tell me who you are!” He once more held his tongue. Not that I expected him to answer. Yet his words—how he spoke them with such conviction, such belief—alarmed me.

A gust of wind blew through my hair, gliding through the strands. It felt like a touch, invisible fingers grasping the long locks. I sucked in a breath when a slight tug came, followed by his deep chuckle. I glowered at him in reply.

The flare of silver that illuminated the darkness sparked before going out completely. Total annihilating nothingness swallowed me whole, and the frantic alarm I’d experienced at the beginning of our interaction struck me in full force.

The hairs on my arms rose, and cold sweat slid down from my temples. While there were no subtle flickers of silver, nothing to outline the man’s overwhelming presence, I knew, with every ounce of my being, that he’d returned to hover over me.

I squeezed my eyes when his icy breath fanned across my cheek like the kiss of a feather. What I would give to believe this was a dream…but even as a shadow, the stranger took up too much room to be a figment of my imagination.

Before the night swallowed me, he spoke once more.

You may not know me, but I know you well. And I think the time has come to reveal myself.

I screamed as the air rushed out from beneath my feet. I fell, plummeting into a void of dreamless sleep.