Page 49 of A Clash of Stars

“Clara, there is much you do not know. First, we would like you to come and rest for a while, and then, we can answer any questions you may have.”

I am sure my appearance gave away my lack of sleep and food. Behind me, I could hear the steps of my friends following me. Friends. I hadn’t realized that is what I associate with them now, even though every one of them lied to me somehow. Maybe I was a fool for allowing them to be in my life, but I had no one else.

The man with salt and pepper hair guided them away to a gray-paneled home near a long limestone gravel driveway. The house had stone doves etched into thefront doors to the home and I watched as they entered as a group, leaving me with my parents standing at the end of the driveway. I thought I saw Evander looking back at me before he entered the doorway, but I couldn’t be sure.

My parents and I approached a massive home surrounded by the sea. The road leading to this magnificent home was lined with swaying grand fir trees. How interesting of a place, encompassed by both mountains and the sea. As we got closer, I noticed the floor-to-ceiling windows that looked towards the mountains and overlooked the sea. It was like a house made of pure glass and black steel, simply breathtaking. It was stuck between two worlds. Rigid rock meeting soft sands.

“Clara, this is Chalet de L’ours, named after you and your childhood nickname. It was your father’s idea.” My mother chuckled and glanced her loving eyes at my father, grabbing his hand as she continued, “We hoped one day we would be able to bring you here, and this could be your home in Carondelet, the city of Manzanita.”

I could feel the warmth in my mother’s words and wondered how long they had this home. My parents are at least three hundred years old. With the immortal power flowing through their veins, their life expectancy lasted longer than others, which means my blood would also protect my aging qualities and life expectancy.

We wouldn’t have the protection of life until our powers fully developed which was why Madok truly saved my life when we were thirteen. I would have died if that viper had found its target. Thank the gods it didn’t.

My eyes brought me back to the present when we were about to enter this home. When I entered, I was overwhelmed by the smell of pine and clean linen. It smelled like home, it felt safe. I started to explore when I found a matte black spiral staircase. I started the climb and was astounded once I stepped onto the second floor.

Oh, my gods! A bed!

I didn’t care where I was. I ran and jumped into that comfy pile of sheets, nestling into them without a care. When I looked up, I was surprised to find a skylight opening to the bright evening sky, propping myself on my elbows. My gaze drifted to a set of large windows overlooking the sea with a balcony. I thought that one day, I’d like to sit outside and watch the stars but not right now. I needed sleep desperately.

“You won’t touch her. Not one hair on her head will be moved. If you do anything to jeopardize this plan, I will kill you myself.”

The man that spoke looked familiar, but I couldn’t place him. Although I couldn’t see him, I could sense him. His scent was sour, reeking of jealousy and malice, even a hint of resentment. Another man laughed at him and then spoke with great confidence.

“What’s your endgame, Theo? All you are doing is delaying the inevitable. She will break the curse, and we will return to the life we once knew and make something of it.”

The man, with raging anger, screamed, “You do not know what life will be like! They will come for us. Everything we did will be leveled to nothing. If you help her, if you do that, everything we have ever known will cease to exist.”

The loving man laughed, “Neither of us knows what will truly happen once the curse is broken, but I know your entire existence to her has been a lie. You’ve lied. She will never do what you are asking of her. She is the chosen child.”

I sat up abruptly, gasping for air. After a few breaths, I realized it was only a dream. I remembered that I still wore dirty clothes after feeling the grit of dust shift offmy clothes and onto the bed. I stood on shaky legs, walked towards the shower, and quickly rinsed off the filth on my body.

Afterward, I walked into the room, still in the dark, towards the dresser, looking around for clothes to change into. I tripped only a few times trying to place my legs in the shorts I had found and struggled with the top even more. I cleaned off the bed to clear the grime that once occupied the sheets.

I finally made my way back to the bed, and I flopped onto it. Then I fell back into my happy slumber, pushing the dream far away from my thoughts.

Chapter 13

The aroma of light caramel with a hint of hazelnut and freshly squeezed citrus tickled my nose as I heard the steps coming up the stairs.

Who was holding the coffee is what made me smile, Madok. That sweet grin reached his golden eyes.

“Good morning, Sunshine.”

I let out a small laugh, “How did you know I needed coffee?

“I know everything about you. What you don’t know is what else I snuck in here.”

My eyes widened with curiosity, “What did you bring me, Mads?”

I could feel my skin beaming with happiness as he reached his hand towards me, holding the holy grail of all things, a cookie.

My craving took hold of me, and I snatched it out of his hand before I could begin to thank him as I took the biggest bite. His deep voice interrupted my savoring moment.

“I haven’t heard you call me that in years. I haven’t forgotten your nickname either, little bear,” Madok whispered.

Without hesitation, I sat up, rolling my eyes at the nickname, and snatched the coffee from his hand, taking the sweetest sip. It filled me with warmth and sweetcontent. I stood, stretching my thick and tired legs, “Would you like to sit with me on the balcony?” I asked.

He didn’t respond; he only got up to follow me. I noticed his honey-brown hair was freshly washed, his white cotton shirt wasn’t tucked into his black trousers, and he was barefoot. He was also glancing down at my chest as I stood.

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