Page 56 of Celestial Bodies

Dacias smirked and leaned in. “Rugirean forces nicknamed them the Rebel Hearts. A number of them defected to Rugiria.”

Souzie grinned and cocked a brow. “Exactly. They may not be active now, but they still exist, and Haligran knows they exist.”

Julen didn’t understand. “Do the rebels have something to do with your plan?” he asked.

“It’s been two years since Lapistra has heard any rumblings of the Rebel Hearts.” She looked at Julen and released a devious smirk. “I think it might be high time they make an appearance. And what better way to do so than by murdering the son of their nemesis?”

Julen’s mouth fell open.She’s a genius.

Dacias inhaled and asked in a whisper. “How?”

Souzie folded her hands together on the table, and her devilish smirk still stretched across her face. “I have a close friend at a mortuary whose uncle served on Morab’s council and was sent to Vinculux four years ago. We grew close over the years, and I knew he would be a willing accomplice.”

“Mortuary?” Julen couldn’t quite put it all together.

“I told him to let me know when a certain kind of person just happened to make their way to the mortuary. He let me know yesterday afternoon that a twenty-year-old male had arrived. He’s already performed the requisite tasks of burial preservation. What he added to the process was the removal of the man’s heart and about ten volumes of blood. The heart is currently being stored in an isocanther to ensure it remains fresh, but the efficacy of the isocanther’s power is limited to twodays. So…”

“By the heart of Morab…” Dacias chewed over the words.

Souzie nodded. “What better way for the Rebel Hearts to make their grand re-debut than by cutting out the heart of Haligran’s son? We leave the heart on your pillow and use the ten volumes of blood to mark the wall behind your bed with their beloved mantra.”

Julen took it all in, completely in awe that his friend thought of the idea and had the supplies ready and waiting.

Julen tried to contain himself. “Souzie. You’re diabolical.”

She nodded. “With the isocanther working its magic, the heart will seem fresh. We’ll make it look like the rebels murdered you in the night and then took your body. It will play right into your father’s paranoid narrative,” Souzie explained.

Dacias narrowed his eyes. “Why wouldn’t they just leave the body? Do you think his father would be suspicious that his body just disappeared?”

Souzie smiled. “You think like a spy, Kitty Cat. We’ll also leave a letter telling Haligran he must step down as king if he wants Julen’s remains for the sacred burial ritual. He would never do that, which explains why the body is gone.”

Dacias shook his head. “By the Mother Planet. You could be in charge of the Rugirean Secret Services. ”

Souzie batted her eyes with faux bashfulness. “Who? Little ol’ me? I’ve been waiting to use these skills for years.”

Julen took a deep breath. His mind reeled. This could work. His body pulsed with a mix of excitement and trepidation. It was a ghastly plan, and he couldn’t begin to imagine how his parents would react.

Dacias must have sensed Julen’s racing thoughts because he asked, “How are you, Julen? Are you all right with this?”

Julen blinked, snapping himself out of his ruminations. “It’s so gruesome. ”

Souzie took hold of his hand. “They put you in this position. You tried to speak with your mother, but she wouldn’t hear anything. You’re allowed to live on your terms.”

Julen thought about this for a moment. Souzie was right. Julen neededto live life on his terms, and he wanted nothing more than to get out of Lapistra and be with Dacias.

“You’re right. You said the isocanther will last for?”

Souzie bit her lower lip, then said, “Two nights…”

Julen’s eyes widened. “For Vexora’s sake…”

“So, this has to happen tomorrow?” Dacias asked.

Souzie nodded. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know when my contact will get another heart of a young man.” She turned to Julen. “You also don’t have much time before the wedding.”

Despite how fast this was moving, Julen knew the timing was perfect. It had to happen quickly, and they had what they needed. It had to be tomorrow.

“Very well. Tomorrow.” He thought for a moment longer. “How will I get out of Lapistra? If I leave through the tunnel, I’ll need a UIN.”

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