Page 24 of Starfall

Ari

I n my dream, I held a raven’s feather.

Surrounded by darkness, the golden flecks dotting the barbs radiated effervescent light, basking my face in a warm glow.

You look divine .

My eyes flashed up, locking on the stranger. On the man who taunted me days before. He sauntered closer, his hands shoved into the pockets of his black trousers. As expected, only his body remained visible, the shadows he cast concealing his face.

“I would have thought you’d detest that word. Divine ,” I said, dropping the feather. It fluttered downward, swallowed by the abyss of black fog. A realization struck me with full force. The feather I found the night I’d chosen Elias—it had been him. His little gift .

His shoulders rose and fell. How could I detest a word if it describes you perfectly, Ari?

He maintained his distance, ten feet away, though he might as well have been touching me with how his gaze burned my skin. I didn’t need to see his eyes to know where they landed.

“Now what do you want?” I asked, ignoring his compliment . The smarter choice would be to placate him, to not enrage this mysterious entity, but I was exhausted. “Did you come back to haunt me? To warn me about the Eternal?” I scoffed and shook my head. “If that’s the case, I’d save your breath.”

He made a deep humming sound in his throat, rocking back and forth on his heels. The casual way he held himself didn’t fool me—sometimes the deadliest predators were the ones that appeared the least threatening.

I…wanted to talk to you , he admitted, almost shyly. He stepped closer, his stiffened limbs seeming to hold himself back from closing the gap entirely.

If he believed I’d retreat, he didn’t know how stubborn I truly was. I remained in place, locking my knees even as a spike of adrenaline flooded my system with ice.

“What more is there to talk about? You refuse to show me your face, and your cryptic messages are unappreciated.” I lifted my chin, hoping he saw the defiance in my eyes rather than the terror I swallowed. Eternal, my throat grew so tight.

I’m not going to talk about that, he said. One more step. Then another. I’m biding my time until you ultimately make your own choice. Unlike your precious Eternal, I believe in free will .

I opened my mouth. Shut it. No reply came. No witty retort—he was right about one thing; the Eternal expected obedience from his creations.

How about a simple question? He crept around me, his slow steps forcing me to follow his movements. No way would I allow my back to be turned to him. What is it you have always dreamed of?

He stopped in place, cocking his head as he waited. I barely made out the shape of his face, just a hint of silvery white hair shining above.

“I—”

He asked what I dreamed about. What my wish would be.

I wracked my mind, frantically searching for an answer that would make him leave me alone. I had a suspicion he wouldn’t release me from this ‘dream’ until he was good and ready.

“I want to save my sisters and complete the ritual,” I said, grimacing when my voice wavered. It was the truth…just not all of it .

Some things I hadn’t even told Lily—the one person who would understand. I should have spoken with her when I had the chance…

He tsk ed. Come now. We both know that’s not the right answer. Not the real one that you’ve hidden for years.

I swore the bastard smiled. I could hear it in his voice.

He circled me once more, but this time, I didn’t follow.

I stared ahead into the darkness, my heart beating out of my chest. If he knew the truth…

I would be a liar and a fool. A woman who deceived not only her best friend but herself.

I hadn’t told a soul, but somehow, I feared this man knew my darkest and deepest secret.

I’ll make it easier on you , he murmured like a caress, his melodic timbre deepening.

You’ve always gravitated toward the darker dreams, haven’t you?

The ones that call your name, even if you know they’re…

’not pure,’ as your Eternal would tell you .

” He stopped in front of me, and I was startled to find him so close.

Nothing human moved that fast. You wish to be free .

I jerked back, the accusation a blasphemous one in my world. “No,” I argued feebly, my knees knocking together. “I serve the Eternal. I have always been faithful.” And I was. Even Lily grew tired of my devotion.

You’ve been fooling yourself . My dark stranger inched forward, his tall frame taking up my vision. If I craned my neck, I knew I’d see only shadows. I kept my chin lowered, stubbornly gritting my teeth in frustration.

At the feel of his fingers on my chin, my nerves electrified, and a gasp left me. With ease, he tilted my head up, allowing me a glimpse of his eyes alone?—

Pure gold.

You can’t lie to me, little star, he whispered, lowering his mouth to my ear.

His icy breath tickled my skin, goosebumps rising all along my neck.

Since the night you Dreamwalked and chose that boy , I’ve been entranced.

Unable to stop myself from watching. Unable to deny that you are the one who has the power to stand by my side.

“You sound delirious,” I accused, my anger surging.

Possibly. But I’m the only person who is powerful enough to save your life. Your sisters’ lives .

“Why would they need saving? Once I fulfill this wish and reset the balance, they will be released from their prisons.”

He hesitated, and I could all but sense him rolling his eyes. They will be killed the second you finish this. The moment you succeed is when their lives end. And not in the heavens. Not as some star. Gone. Forever .

I shook, my body trembling with denial. But before I crafted an argument, his hand reached out and grasped my waist. Since I see you remain adamant that you grant the boy’s wish, perhaps we can shift my original plan.

Help him and save yourself. All you have to do is open your eyes.

Think about your time on Maldia. About why the Eternal has never shown his face to you, his supposed divine being.

A low sound freed from my throat when he pulled me flush against his solid frame.

It was harder than granite, his every rippling muscle easily felt beneath the thin silk of his shirt.

The ease and confidence with which he held me had the opposite effect—I froze, sinking into the foreign sensations he brought about.

Much like when I ventured too far toward the darker dreams when I was Dreamwalking. It felt…good.

Stop trying to be made for someone else , he rasped against my hair, and I shuddered. Allow yourself to be you. Belong to no one.

His hand tightened on my waist for a fraction of a second before he grumbled as if frustrated. Releasing me, he stepped back, never once turning. Always staring. Always watching.

I can’t wait until we meet in the flesh, little star. Maybe then you’ll see me for what I really am . Shadows swirled around him, obscuring the lower half of his form.

My lids grew heavy, the air thick with the scent of the earth after a storm. I swayed on my feet, a pleasant buzz sinking into my bones.

Sleep now .

The void vanished. Along with my stranger.