Page 17 of Fallen Star

“Let me guess,” I interrupt. “Gathered at twilight?”

“You’re catching on. But the last ingredient...” He trails off, his expression darkening. “That’s where it gets complicated.”

“How so?”

“We need the blood of a dove. But not just any dove’s blood. You’ll have to kill it yourself and perform a spell as you do. If done correctly, the dove will come back to life.”

My stomach turns. “And if I fail?”

“Then the dove stays dead, and we start over.”

“Which will take time that Zoey can’t afford.”

“Get the spell right the first time, and you won’t have to worry about that,” he says. “Doves only come out during the day, and the blood needs to be fresh when added to the potion. Which means we’ll gather it tomorrow, after I collected everything else tonight.”

“We?”

“You’ll need my guidance for the spell. And I won’t let you go alone.” His tone leaves no room for argument. “Ghost can guard Zoey here in the cave.”

I glance at Zoey’s unconscious form. “I don’t want to leave her.”

“Ghost will protect her with his life. Like he’s always done for me.” Riven’s voice softens, just slightly. “But if you don’t have my guidance for the spell, you’re less likely to do it correctly. Then all our work will have been for nothing.”

I groan, since he’s right. Of course he’s right.

“Fine,” I give in. “When do we start?”

“Tonight. I know where to find the first four ingredients. My mother and I gathered them—plus many others—around here often.” He moves to a corner of the cave, where Ghost is waiting for him, curled up like he’s been waiting to go to bed for a while now. “But I’ve been up all night getting here. I need rest to be at my best tonight.”

“I’ll keep watch,” I say, and he’s already settling down, using Ghost as a pillow.

“Wake me in six hours. That’ll give you a few hours to sleep with Ghost and I keeping watch, so you can stay awake when I’m gone,” he says, and within moments, his breathing evens out.

I sit against the wall, keeping my eyes on Zoey.

The dark angel’s blood still courses through me, but I can feel its effects waning. I’ll need to feed again soon.

But Riven can’t know. I won’t risk him discovering what I am—not when I need his help so desperately.

Which means I have to be careful. Hide my air magic. And feed without him knowing.

I press my fingers to my temples, trying to push away the anxiety brewing from how overwhelmed I feel.

One problem at a time.

For now, I just need to keep watch for the next six hours, to make sure the three of them—Zoey, Riven, and Ghost—remain safe.

Because without them, I have nothing.

Sapphire

The cave feels heavierat night, like the darkness is pressing in closer now that Riven and Ghost have left to gather the ingredients.

I sit near the entrance, clutching my dagger, trying to stay focused on keeping watch. But my mind keeps spinning in circles.

The blood-soaked bandage on Zoey’s arm. The sweat clinging to her skin. The potion that Riven and I have to make. The dove I’ll have to kill. The spell I’ll have to cast on it.

I wrap my arms around myself, the warmth of Riven’s amulet a small comfort against the chill.

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