Page 6 of Born of Starlight
“Is the news from the West all we have to cover today?” Wyeth’s foot tapped against the marble as she spoke.
“Yes, the meeting is adjourned.” Firose paused. “Asterie, do stay a moment, dear.”
I fought the urge to grimace. This might be the reprimand for being late I’d been waiting for. Despite the Order, Firose had allowed me to stay, and I hated disappointing her.
Firose had taught me all of my spells, enchantments and charms and how to read both the Brennac and Phynnic languages of the Old World. Most importantly, she had taught me how to manipulate the moonstone to conjure visions, paths and prophecies.
As Henosis’ last remaining Oracle, I had essential work to do for the realm.
Sometimes I wondered where I would be if I hadn’t ended up in the hands of the Sisterhood. I’d read so many storybook versions of my origins that I’d long ago stopped inquiring about the truth.What if my mother had never stepped from that rooftop? Would I be slinging fish at a market in Ikanten? Begging on the streets of Eros? Worse?
Dealing with an outburst from Firose was all in a day’s work. I served the realm, the Central Corridor, and by the Order, I would keep it safe.
Amara squeezed my shoulder gently as a goodbye before she left the room. Cassidee swung her feet off the table and stalked out with a grunt of dismissal and a waved hand.
Wyeth trailed behind her, murmuring, “Good day.” Then she quickly caught up to Cassidee.
Firose poured herself another cup of coffee. When she offered me some, I shook my head politely.
“Asterie, you seem distracted lately.” She sipped the coffee innocently, looking concerned. I wasn’t buying it.She wanted something.
“The headaches, as I mentioned.” I forced my body to relax back into the seat. “They can be intense.”
“You must ask Wyeth for some feverfew.” She set down her cup and examined me.
“That’s a good idea.”
“Can I ask something of you?”
Here it was.“Of course.”
“King Mattock…he keeps having night terrors of the Wastelands rising against Henosis. He is fever-ridden and confused but claims dark magic is roiling again in the realm. That it will soon break free.”
My eyes widened a pinch.
Firose continued, “Have you felt anything? I seek your opinion before I worry our Sisters.”
An eerie, ethereal voice whispered right into my ear. It was so close that I could feel breath on my ear lobe.
“Lie.”
It took all of my nerve to remain in my seat.
“Did you hear something?” I asked.
“No, did you conjure something?” Firose pitched forward with eager anticipation.
“Oh.” I backtracked quickly, shaking my head. “No, it must have been a strange bird call. How odd.”
Whatwasthat voice?
Why did it want me to lie?
Why did Iwantto lie?
I cleared my throat. My blood ran cold, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood. The truth was I had felt something similar to the King during the nightmares that visited me each night. Dreams of wars, pain, darkness and ruin. But I thought them to be dreams—theywerejust dreams.Right?That inner voice had told me to lie—maybe it was because those dreams were meant to throw us off course. I wasn’t confident in sharing my experiences yet.
And so…I lied.
