Page 38 of Starfall

Chapter Seven

Emery was numb as shewalked over the bridge. The ping of her phone made her want to throw it into the river, but instead, she looked at it as she walked along. Orla, Hunter, and the texts from Rowen kept coming in.

She slowed her steps as Rowen apologized, begged her to come back, and then mentioned the one thing that would give her understanding.I have met Amy. Ty has turned her into a tree.

I will be back in twenty minutes.

She turned on her heel and started plodding back over the bridge. She would return, but there was a lot less enthusiasm for the party.

The light of the party glowed in the distance, and she slowed to a stop. It was light, renewal, and hope. She wasn’t feeling any of those things now.

A sports car with strange opalescent paint pulled up next to her. It was there silently for a moment, and then, the passenger window slid down. A familiar face caused Emery’s heart to stutter.

“Come on, Emmy. We want to join that party.”

“We do? The party doesn’t want me.”

“It does; it is just a little slow. Come on.”

“Avaknell, I am not sure that this is a good idea.”

“Get in, Emery. We don’t have to get out of the car until you are ready.” Avaknell Blue smiled at her.

She nodded and got into the car, closing the door only when her skirt was tucked in safely. “Thanks. Do you go to this party every year?”

“Sure. Every year since I landed. Is Kel there already?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh, this is going to be fun. Watch his eyes bug out.”

Emery chuckled. “Is he your destiny?”

“No. Don’t be silly. You know how I feel about destiny. We are from the same original population group. That’s all.”

She drove slowly through the quiet streets and toward the party. The parking area was surprisingly well organized, and a young woman in a safety vest directed them into a parking spot.

“Original population? He’s a dragon.”

“Yes, dear. I know.” She chuckled. “Now, remember where I parked. I might need you to take the car after this.”

“Why?”

“I plan on getting high.” Avaknell looked at her. “Now, I know that you took some kind of emotional hit, but I want you to walk back in there with your head high and light out.”

“What?”

“This is the night for it.”

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