The Falling Stars of Mooncrest Bay, By Makaila Odoom, Part 9

The Falling Stars of Mooncrest Bay, By Makaila Odoom

Part 9

I didn’t realize what I’d done until it was too late to stop it.

Everything happened all at once.

The blue light erupted from my fingertips.

Orion slammed into me and knocked us both to the floor.

Seren…SEREN lunged for Chrystie, shoving her out of the way before my blast struck her.

And Kaspar?

Kaspar just stood there.

Watching.

Watching as his wife almost got burned alive by her sister.

No. No. NO.

I squeezed my eyes shut, still lying on the ground.

If I had hurt her… I would never forgive myself.

“Lila…” Orion whispered. I could feel him leaning over me. “It’s okay. She’s okay.”

I opened my eyes, relief flooding over me. I sat up slowly. 

Fresh tears burned behind my eyes.

Seren was helping Chrystie stand.

Kaspar still hadn’t moved a muscle.

Chrystie’s eyes darted from me to the smoking crater in the wall behind her, her expression frozen in half terror, half fascination.

I pushed myself up, ignoring the hand Orion offered to me.

They were all staring at me, waiting for me to make my next move.

I wanted to fling my arms around Chrystie, tell her how sorry I was, and tell her that I would never do anything like that again.

But again, she wasn’t Chrystie.

It felt like I wasn’t Lila anymore.

I stared at Orion. “You were wrong. There’s everything wrong with me.”

I looked at all of them as I said, “I despise you all.”

I had no idea where I was going, but I knew I had to get out of that room.

No one tried to stop me from leaving.

I hated that.

I stumbled out the doorway.

And started to run.

There were people everywhere, rushing past me in every direction.

Servants rushed by carrying silver trays, others balancing towering stacks of books.

Conversation reverberated through the hall, footsteps thundered through the hallway.

I ran and ran until my heart was pounding and I was unsure of where I was.

It was too loud, too bright. It was all too much.

Everything started to blur together, and I couldn’t breathe.

I couldn’t breathe.

I dropped to my knees, feeling like the world was collapsing around me.

It felt like someone was driving a steamroller over my chest. I looked up for help, and the whole world started to spin.

I was going to die.

“Hey,” someone said. “Everything’s going to be fine.”

There was someone kneeling down next to me. A girl.

“You’re safe,” she said. “Try to match my breathing. Inhale,” she demonstrated, taking a slow breath. I copied her. “Exhale.”

The pain in my chest had began to dull, and the world slowly came back into focus.

I breathed in and out until the tightness left. Until the only ache in my chest was the sting of betrayal from one of the closest people in my life.

I looked up at the girl who had helped me. She looked to be my age.

“What happened?” I asked her, wiping away the damp tears on my cheeks.

She gave me a sad smile. “I think you had a panic attack,” she explained.

“Oh,” I said. “Thank you. For helping me.”

She nodded. “Of course.”

I finally took a look at my surroundings.

We were sitting with our backs to a wall in a gigantic room.

There was a big rectangular wooden table at the center of it, with tons of chairs lining each side and one very fancy chair at the head of the table. It looked like the more humble version of a throne. The back was made out of indigo velvet laced with gold.

A crystal chandelier hung over the table. Stone walls were surrounding the room, while a massive fireplace took up the far wall.

“Whoa,” I gaped. “Where are we?”

“In the King’s meeting room.”

“WHAT!?” I yelled.

“Shhh!” She shot me a look. “Don’t worry. The only time they use this room in the morning is if there’s an emergency.”

“Oh,” I said, relaxing.

“I’m Carina, by the way,” she said, as she stood up.

“I’m Lila,” I told her. She extended her hand to me, helping me to my feet.

I wobbled a little as I stood.

My legs were still a little shaky, but at least I could breathe again.

Carina’s smile disappeared, then she said, “Oh my gosh.”

“What?” I asked, confused, bringing my hand back to my side.

Carina blinked. “You’re the—“ she stuttered. “I-I’m sorry. I should have asked first.”

“Asked what?”

“If I could see your memories.”

I remembered the book in her closet talking about Astral memory. Carina explained before I could ask her what it was.

“Astral memory lets you see another person’s past through touch,” she explained. “And wow! You’re… you’re the Starlight Bearer and your sister is Queen Cressida! Do you know what this means?!”

I scowled. “Yeah. You definitely should have asked.”

My earlier feelings of despair were gone, replaced with a silent rage.

“I’m going to go now,” I told her, walking towards the door.

“Wait-“

She was cut off as the door opened right when I reached for the handle.

It was Kaspar.

He was alone. Relief washed over his face when he spotted me.

“There you are!” He let out a breath. “I need to talk to you.”

Kaspar’s eyes shifted behind me to Carina. He frowned.

“Carina. How many times have I told you to stop bringing people into my meeting room?” He asked.

“I didn’t bring her in here! I saw her having a panic attack and decided to help.” Carina rolled her eyes. “Really, Kas. You always assume the worst of me.” She stormed out of the room without looking back.

Wow. Thanks for telling my business, Carina.

I snickered. “Is that how all your subjects talk to you?” I asked.

“No. Just the one that’s practically my little sister,” he answered.

Right.

“What do you want?” I said.

“You had a panic attack?”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry that happened.”

I scoffed. “Don’t act like you care. You don’t even care about your own wife.”

Kaspar stared at the floor, silent for a long moment.

When he finally looked up, there was an emotion I couldn’t name in his features.

He sighed.

“That’s not true.” His voice was tired as he turned towards the hallway, not checking to see if I was following him. “Come with me. We have much to discuss.”