The Last Fallen Star: Chapters 9–14

The guilt bubbles inside me like trapped air, and a bout of hiccups escapes my mouth.

“He’s a dragon-on-wheels. We Miru use them before our gifts kick in—when our parents want us to practice moving at super speed, but within safe parameters. I guess you could call them training wheels for protectors.”

Once we’re on the other side, we find ourselves standing on the beach underneath the Santa Monica Pier, and the gentle night breeze is blowing wisps of hair onto my face.

By the time we get chest-deep, the current picks up, and my sweater billows around me as if it’s desperately trying to swim.

She remains still and stares intently at her hands.

It’s finicky work, but I manage to empty the ring’s contents into the chalice before returning it to Hattie’s finger.

I don’t know where she came from, but a frumpy middle-aged woman with frizzy hair has appeared on the beach in front of us. Her knitted vest looks dated, and—I won’t lie—she smells a little like mothballs.

“I do love those honey-drizzled rice cakes, though,” she muses.

“And I am partial to a good vintage rice wine on occasion.”

Indulgent initiation ceremonies. Honey-drizzled rice cakes. Rice wine. It all reminds me of Hattie’s ceremony, when the delicious food offerings disappeared into the Godrealm.

“Benevolent goddess,” I say urgently, “we need your help.”

“Like I said, I’m not allowed to interfere. But since I was summoned, I can offer you a job. And jobs, my dearie, must be compensated, even under Godrealm law. Would you be interested in doing a wee task for me?”

“Five.” My heart is racing. “Two. And that’s my final offer.” “Fine,” I say, relenting.

I look down to see Boris’s blue scales spreading over my feet. They unfurl like a second skin, until the cold sliminess has swallowed me right up to the calves.

A beautiful K-pop apparition has appeared on the other side of the glass door, already dressed for the day in a navy camp polo over pressed khakis.

They are each a pair—a dark sun for a light sun, a dark moon for a light moon. They represent a balanced set of scales, like the eum and yang, built in perfect equilibrium, as you are.

Adeline uses her glamour magic to turn the stage into the night sky, and then creates the illusion of the two suns and two moons floating majestically above her. The backdrop makes her look ethereal, and my eyes are glued to the sight.

Adeline turns to the audience and raises her arms in a final flourish.

She glances meaningfully at me and I quickly look away before Emmett can pick up on the subtext.

I’m rendered speechless.

I jab the CLOSE DOOR button over and over again in a vain attempt to make the elevator shut faster.

His cheeks are as round and ruddy as usual, but he’s got a queasy look about him that makes me worry he’s going to puke.

I try an upward inflection to come across as Cosette-like as I can.

It’s a million-dollar smile, revealing every single one of his tiny perfect equine teeth.

“Is this the entrance to the gifted library?” I tentatively ask, taking another step away from the cheollima, just in case.

“Cookies,” Emmett says, prying open the Tupperware.

Well, I could waive the authorized-personnel requirement in exchange for a cookie.

“I mean, the sun just shines, but the wind can be strong and blustery, right? It can create hurricanes, destroy entire houses, that kinda thing.”

“Are you sure?” For a second, I waver.

Light is pouring in through glass walls, and I realize I’ve landed on my butt in some sort of huge conservatory. Ferns, palms, and other lush, leafy greens fill every inch of the space, and the air is so thick and humid, it’s like I’m in a tropical rain forest.

I study the birds carefully and realize there’s a certain order to them. Each one is different, but they’re organized by color, size, shape, and plumage.

But as soon as I touch its feathers, the bird vanishes. Instead, it is replaced with a heavy tome entitled The Art of Infusing: Love Tonics, Part II.

I shake my head, feeling despondent.

I shake my head again, too confused to articulate my thoughts.

You must be well aware that the gifted library is prohibited, and yet you ignored the rules and broke in. How did you get through security? And what reason do you have for this indiscretion?

He’s the size of an elephant, but he kind of looks like a mastiff. Well, except for the iridescent scales all over him, the lion’s mane, the single blunt horn, and the red eyes that shine like rubies.

A number of unmoving bodies lie sprawled on the ground.

We chew happily on the sweet little balls of tapioca, enjoying the momentary respite from the Cave Bear Goddess’s assignment.

I look down to see my limbs have gone AWOL, and my boba tea is floating in midair.

I wriggle and writhe, trying to free myself.