Page 70 of The Breaker of Stars

“By the Angels,” I mumbled.

“Do you have a Fate tie, Titus?” Vale asked, voice softening a touch for a reason I couldn’t make out. Absently, her hand that wasn’t holding mine massaged her shoulder. My eyes narrowed on that spot.

“Of course, I have a Fate tie, darling,” Titus said.

“But do they show you anything?” Harlen asked, leaning forward. His eyes were wild with a manic energy.

“Tell us the truth, Titus,” Vale pleaded. “Or neither of us will read for you.”

“You both will read for me, or your magic will rebel against you.”

“Torture us for the damn readings, then,” Harlen spat. “Do your worst, Titus, and we will withhold.”

Vale nodded, and by the fucking Spirits, I thought they meant it.

Titus ground his jaw, backed into a corner by the two warriors he’d come to rely on. The two his own greed and fear had pushed him to manipulate. “My Fate does not show me as much as others show their tied.”

Which, if his sour tone indicated anything, meant nothing at all. The chancellor had such a weak alignment that the stars barely showed him any readings.

With that confession, a chill seeped into the air. Rain lashed at the windows, and silence filtered around us.

“How did you come to hold your position, then?” I asked.

“I worked for it, Mr. Kastroff. Not everyone receives things because they’re blessed by the Fates or Angels. That is an antiquated way to distribute power, don’t you think?”

I didn’t respond, because in a way I agreed. I didn’t hold any special magic or Angel blessings, yet I held a title. And against this man—this sham of a leader—I did so proudly.

“I climbed up the ladder of authority,” Titus continued. “First in my school years, then serving in our army, and finally, in the political world. I have conquered all of it—earned all of it.”

“Then why lie?” I asked. Beside me, Vale stewed silently.

“Because our people rely so heavily on their precious stars. I have lived my entire life with little power and have plenty to show for it. But it comforted them to remain with the familiar, so I recruited those who could aid me.”

Recruited those who could aid him…

“Did you instruct the temples to collect children who showed promise?” My voice was as sharp as a blade, one I longed for right now as the chancellor shrugged and smiled smugly.

Vale and Harlen both froze.

“You what?” she asked, voice small. “You’re the reason they took me from my family. The reason they beat us into training our magic properly.”

“I needed to track those who would be of assistance to me, darling,” Titus said, eyes only for her again. “I didn’t know they would do those things, but I needed to find you so that we could take care of our people.”

If he was truly as appalled by the disgusting behavior as he should be, he would have enforced punishments on the temple masters.

Vale shook her head, not saying anything, like she recognized the lie, too. A broken look slid into her eyes.

I pushed up from the table, and Harlen did the same. “Vale and I will be going. Harlen, you may come if you’d like.” He was already rounding the table to join us. I bent to whisper in Vale’s ear, placing a hand on her back. “Let’s get out of here, Stargirl. He’s hurt you enough.”

She only shook her head more, a war behind those shell-shocked eyes. It tore at my heart, squeezed it to pieces where she held it in the palm of her hand.

I couldn’t read her. Beyond devastating hurt, I had no idea what was going through her mind. Like that hollow look she’d had in place before we entered the dining room had siphoned away all of her emotions.

“Actually, you won’t be leaving.” At Titus’s voice, my head snapped back up.

“You don’t own them, Titus,” I spat.

“You are technically correct, but I do have these.”

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