Page 84 of A Dream of Stars and Curses

We clink our glasses and drink.

‘Sisters forever,’ I say.

‘Sisters forever,’ she agrees with a giggle. Bonnie glares at her phone when it buzzes. ‘That had better not be the pizza people saying there’s a problem. Hello?’ Her eyes go wide and she blushes. ‘Oh, hey, Sunitha. This is, erm— What’s up?’

Honestly, it’s amazing either of us ever managed to have a love life. We are not naturally skilled at flirting.

When Bonnie breaks into a huge grin, I know I should give them some space, so I excuse myself and go upstairs. I just about hear Bonnie explain something about the boggart and how she would love to go on a date next week when I reach the upstairs landing.

I’m glad they’re working it out. Leverett asked me to stop by when I felt up to it; I’d probably go right now if pizza wasn’t on the way. Instead, I sit on my bed and pull out my deck of cards. I shuffle, mostly to have something to do, but I can’t very well ignore it when one card falls out. It feels like it’s drawn itself. Like the deck needs to tell me something.

With a heavy sinking feeling in my gut—I really don’t want to see anyone getting stabbed or any crumbling towers—I turn it over. I smile in relief when it’s The Star. I even remember what it means: hope, and faith. I doubt it’s the kind of faith Kate mentioned, though—the kind that involves prayers to deities. I think this means the faith that better days lie ahead. Even if it’s not, I can cling to the message of hope. I give my deck a quick peck on The Star and put the cards back into their box. The doorbell rings and Bonnie shouts up that our pizza is here, so it’s time to make my way downstairs anyway.

I squeal with Bonnie when she tells me everything Sunny said—how she wants to try again, how they’re going on a date Friday night, and how she’s pissed that a boggart made her afraid of their future together when they barely know each other. We both laugh and joke through the movie, and by the time it’s over, I feel bold even though we didn’t mix a second drink. It’s The Star, our laughter tonight, my sister’s second chance with Sunny.

And besides, it’s only nine p.m. in early August. It’s not even dark yet.

‘Do you mind if I head out?’ I ask Bonnie as she puts the empty pizza box away.

‘Going to see Leverett?’

I blush. ‘He asked me to come over when I felt ready, so...’

I have no delusions about him asking me out after everything he said, but The Star is literally giving me hope. It’ll be good to know where we stand either way.

‘Go,’ she says. ‘I’ll stay up, we can talk when you’re back.’ She winks at me. ‘Message me if you’re staying the night, though, yeah?’

I wave her off but can’t help smiling. It won’t happen, but maybe... Maybe there’s still a romantic future for us.

I think as I walk. The Dreamcatcher and Mara worked in my dreamscape. The boggart took it a step further and invaded my home. It influenced me and my friends, possibly even my dog. I have no way of confirming if the same person who sent the Dreamcatcher sent it, too, since I’d need to talk to it for that and it doesn’t like that, but my gut says yes. I dread to think what she might send after me next, but I’ll be better prepared next time. Under Kate’s tutelage, I’ll be ready.

My heart is in my throat when I reach Leverett’s shop. It’s closed, of course, but I knock anyway. He’ll hear it.

Although, it occurs to me as I knock that he might not be home. For all I know he’s out. He did ask me to stop by whenever, but did he expect me to come by this late when he said that? He probably doesn’t—

He appears at the end of his shop, and our eyes meet. Two frantic heartbeats later he’s unlocking the door.

‘Esta. I wasn’t expecting you so late.’

There’s a strange look in his eyes, and I freeze. What if he’s... not alone?

I pale. ‘I’m sorry, I should probably have asked if it’s okay first. If this isn’t a good time, I’ll come back tomorrow or something.’

He’s shaking his head before I’m done. ‘No, now is fine. Come in.’

I can’t help feeling a little relieved. He wouldn’t invite me in if he had a naked visitor on his sofa, would he?

‘How is your injury?’ he asks as I follow him. Maybe I imagine it, but I think his shoulders tense when he asks.

I roll my neck—lightly—to make my point. ‘Better, thank you. Kate really knows her herbs.’ Was he hurt that I didn’t want him to add his blood to the tea? Did he see it as a rejection on my part? Our relationship has become so messy, but that’s why I’m here. To fix it. For closure.

‘I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner. I...’

I was avoiding it, to be honest. Not because I’m scared of him now, but because I’m afraid to find out where we stand. Besides, it’s only been a few days. If he’s about to reject me, I wanted at least a small break from all the pain.

I stop in the doorway behind his till.

Leverett shakes his head again. ‘You have nothing to apologise for.’ He stands in front of me. In this small space between the door frames, he feels incredibly close. I want to pull him to me and kiss him. I want to wrap my legs around his waist like I did at the party. He said then that it was too public, but there’s no one else here right now. Two steps, and we’ll be in the storage room.

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