The Last Fallen Star: Chapters 1–3

Healing magic flows in her blood, as it flows through our parents’ blood, because we, the Gom clan, are descendants of the Cave Bear Goddess—the patron goddess of service and sacrifice.

She’s making me repeat the incantations a billion times, and I don’t know what they mean anymore. I mean, honestly, what are words, even?

Hattie drags her palms down her cheeks and gives me an exasperated look.

I stifle a laugh.

Hattie says it’s a good thing—that I’m “in touch with my feelings” (more like drowning in them...). And Eomma and Appa say I’ll grow out of it. But let’s face it—compared to my confident-and- composed family, I’m flawed.

Eomma has now prompted Hattie to practice her vows, and my sister reluctantly obeys.

“You and Appa are always pushing for more inclusivity in the gifted community. This is the perfect opportunity to make a statement, isn’t it?” Eomma looks sheepish.

But change takes time. Some of the clans aren’t as progressive as we are.

They’re arguing that, without a Gi, Riley wouldn’t be able to cast the spells anyway. And if the council can’t witness the spells during the initiation, they can’t make a fair assessment.

But the other elders think it’s asking too much of the Godrealm to bless a saram with magic. That it would be impertinent of us. Disrespectful, even.

We’re not allowed to touch the family spellbook—not until Eomma and Appa deem us ready.

But here’s the real crux of the problem, folks: I, Riley Oh, have a sweet tooth. And hope? Well, hope tastes sweeter than candy.

To the saram eye, the cherubic-faced man at the counter might look like an ordinary chicken vendor. But those of us from the gifted clans know he’s actually a Miru guard. The Miru clan are protectors descended from the Water Dragon Goddess.

They have either superhuman strength or speed, which make them ideal for protecting our secret portals and entrances.

We lower our heads and quickly sit in the Gom pews while hundreds of eyes follow our every move. “Absolutely mortifying,” Eomma mumbles under her breath.

The large hexagonal chamber is full to the brim today, with witches from the Gom clan, the Samjogo clan, the Miru clan, the Gumiho clan, and the Tokki clan all sitting in their respective pews, which fan out from the center.

Each block of pews ends with a polished bronze plaque brandishing the clan’s motto, beneath a tall statue of their patron goddess.

As per custom, the five elders are standing in the raised center of the sanctuary next to the Gi cauldron, which is basically a large black urn with clawed feet.

Sticks of incense poke out from its top, reminding me of candles on a birthday cake.

When a gifted child turns one hundred days old, the Gi cauldron assesses the witch’s elemental balance and forges her Gi.

Auntie Okja once explained it to me like this: The world has five sacred elements—wood, earth, water, fire, and metal. If a witch can harness the perfect balance of all five, he or she can channel the power of the goddesses and wield the specific magic of their clan.

A deep rumble emanates from the cauldron, and I count to ten under my breath as Mina’s first element is revealed.

“Her dominant element is water!” Mr. Pyo announces first, as a swirling tornado of liquid materializes above the cauldron.

The story goes that when the Gi cauldron was asked for my elemental balance, it sat silent and idle for an impossibly long time.

The council has convened on the issue, and we suspect the excommunicated clan may be planning another attack on the community.

And if any try to make contact, it is imperative that you do not engage. They are dangerous and should not be approached.

The scholars weren’t always cursed. In fact, they used to be the upholders of knowledge and truth in the gifted community. They were the keepers of the sacred texts at the gifted library, and they were well respected. Revered, even.

Ms. Kwon claimed she’d figured out a way for witches to become as powerful as the goddesses and that she would pursue it until the scholars became divine themselves. When the other five clans accused them of heresy, Ms. Kwon led a Horangi attack against the gifted community.

Anyway, as punishment for their actions, the Mountain Tiger Goddess disowned the Horangi clan and cursed them never to be able to wield her divine power again. And anyone seen colluding with the clan would be stripped of their own gift, too.

The scholars’ lust for power had made them dangerous, and it ultimately led to their demise.

“And on that rather somber note, I conclude today’s service,” Mr. Hong finishes.

She looks as graceful and poised as ever.

They also have premonitions in their dreams, and the most powerful Samjogo can even see across space and time, which I’ll admit is pretty cool.

His mom married a saram (which makes Emmett half saram, half gifted), and she was one of the first champions for more inclusive policies in the clans.

And to us, he says with a nostalgic look in his eyes, “Have fun, guys. I remember the good old days of Saturday School.”

Three of the walls are painted with meticulous landscapes that look so realistic they could be photos.

As soon as the words are out, I realize I should have been 1000 percent more subtle.

She keeps it at the restaurant for her really potent potions and tonics. Once, one of the waitstaff came into the kitchen and accidentally drank a triple dose of confidence potion, thinking it was juice. He then robbed a bank, because he was convinced he wouldn’t get caught.

Tokki witches have the ability to infuse food with magic.

Sure enough, the door hits him in the butt as he walks over its threshold.