Page 102 of The Star's Sword

My heart began to pound at that. I’d loved the unicorn ever since I first saw it in Zadis’s basement, and then at the sanctuary.

I’d thought it had always hated me, but was it merely testing me?

“Then again, maybe it’s demonic and this is a really bad idea,” Luren said.

Zadis shook his head. “I believe in Cleo. The Drorren sold me this unicorn to kill for parts, but I couldn’t stand to destroy her.” He looked fondly at the beast, which was pawing the ground again, purple horn sparkling in the moonlight.

I moved forward. “For Samael, I would try anything,” I said. I looked at Zadis gratefully. “Thanks for setting this up.”

Samael put a hand over his face. “I still don’t know if we should allow this. If something happens, the world is lost.”

I walked up to him and grabbed him by the collar, forcing him to look at me. “If this can save your life, I’m doing it, period. And Zadis is right. If I’m truly the Morningstar, then I have no need to run.” I stared at the moon, then faced the unicorn fearlessly. “I know who I am. I know I have never yearned to hurt others. If unicorns know a heart, then I think I will pass.” I swallowed. “I have no choice.”

“But what if this unicorn isn’t like the others?” Samael tried to protest, but I shoved up on my toes and pressed my lips over his, then shoved him back, letting him go.

“I’ve got this,” I said, motioning for him and the others to get back and out of the way, as the unicorn paced back and forth.

“What if it kills her?” Samael asked, sounding nearly hysterical. “I can’t believe we’re even trying this.”

Zadis walked over to him and drew back his hand, then slapped Sam across the face, just hard enough to make his face fly to the side, but not hard enough to bruise, probably.

Sam stared at him, as Zadis glared back angrily.

“Stop not putting yourself in the equation. You asked me to watch out for Cleo. To love her. She loves you. I’m not her love if I don’t do everything to help her have what she wants. And that means helping her with her destiny, too, yes. But also, helping her keep what she loves.” He shook his head, grabbing a shocked Samael by the arm and pulling him back with him.

“For once in your life, let someone else save the day,” Zadis muttered to Sam, who seemed too shocked to talk, as Luren jogged over to them, leaving the unicorn alone.

“That’s my spell restraining the unicorn,” Zadis said, as I looked closer and realized the purple, smoky bonds that tied the unicorn to the post were the same as the ones Zadis had once used to imprison an unruly Drorren named Roden. “Once the three of us are far enough away to be safe, I’ll free it.”

Sweat broke out on my forehead as I continued to walk forward, staring at the unicorn and trying to not feel fear as I saw it dip its head and aim that spiky, shining horn right at my midsection as it pawed the ground again.

A night sword, I realized. I should be afraid, even as the Morningstar, because the horn of a unicorn killed like a night sword.

I looked back at my friends uncertainly.

Was I drunk to be doing this?

“Are you ready, Cleo?” Zadis yelled.

I planted my feet, reassuring myself that I could do this.

For Samael, I could do anything. If there was any chance of being with him, of saving him, I’d risk anything at all.

But deep inside, I knew I wasn’t risking anything. As the unicorn’s eyes met mine, calm and resolute, I felt my inner demon ready and waiting.

I had never loved anyone like I loved Samael. I would die for him, or anyone else in the world who needed me.

I knew who I was. Someone who hated injustice and who, no matter how this hurt, would see it to the end.

“I’m ready,” I said finally, and Zadis snapped his fingers, making the rope around the unicorn’s neck disappear.

It began to paw the ground in earnest, tearing up grass and sending dust up into the air.

Then it turned to me, lowered its head, and charged.

35

It was hard to stand there as the unicorn took off, charging toward me, dust thundering under its hooves.

---