Page 6 of A Dream of Stars and Curses

The more Kate tells me, the more questions I have, but I don’t want her to have to repeat herself when I ask her everything again once I have a notebook in my hand.

‘Your homework will be to practice cloud scrying, find a tarot deck that speaks to you, and research the different elemental spirits I just told you about. Can you remember all four?’

I repeat the names, prouder of myself than I should be that I didn’t forget anything. It is only four words, but it’s been a very informative morning.

‘Very good. We will leave it here, I think, so we don’t overdo it. We will meet once every week to discuss your homework and add to what you’ve learned.’

It doesn’t seem like often enough, but I have a feeling I’ll fall down the rabbit hole as soon as I stick my head in.

‘Can I still ask you things when I see you in the garden?’

Kate smiles. ‘Of course. You can ask me anything anytime.’

‘Thank you.’

A breeze sighs around my arms and neck. I put my head back and close my eyes for a moment. It’s so much to remember, but I’m not put off by any of it. If anything, I want to learn more. Kate and Leverett could have taken my memory of the Veiled, but I didn’t want it then and I don’t regret my decision now. The two of them, the Mara, and the Dreamcatcher have chosen to trust me. Now it’s my turn to put in the work.

‘Shall I send you the link when I’ve found a deck? I don’t think I have your email address.’

Kate considers it for a moment. ‘No, just take it straight to Leverett. I can leave my payment details with him next time I’m over there, or he can call me when it’s arrived.’

I swallow and nod. I have been acting childishly by avoiding him. The longer I put it off, the harder it’ll be, and I really don’t want him to think that I don’t want to be his friend anymore.

‘I’ll have a look today and visit him tomorrow.’

I’ll need to get over myself to be his friend, so I may as well rip the plaster off.

Kate and I finish our walk in companionable silence. When we leave the forest the same way we entered, the bright sun dazzles me for a moment before my eyes adjust. There are fewer clouds around now—looks like we’re heading into the next heatwave; awesome—but the few that are there almost look like...

Fangs. One even looks like blood is dripping off it.

I blush. We were just talking about Leverett, and when am I not thinking about him? I remember what Kate said about not confusing intuition with wishful thinking. I haven’t been wishing that he bites me, exactly—I know he doesn’t drink blood—but I’d be lying if I said that I never wondered what it might feel like. If it would hurt, or if he’d be gentle, hold me in his arms as he runs his tongue over the wound...

The clouds move, I blink, and they look like candy floss again.

So it’s probably nothing.

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