Page 77 of Heavenly Bodies

‘What did he do?’ she whispered.

Eli looked faintly amused. ‘That’s his story to tell.’

‘Is he okay?’ she demanded.

Eli laughed softly then.

‘Okay? He’s feral.’ Elara gnawed at her lip. Relief swept over her at Eli’s assurance that Enzo had escaped withhis life. But being indebted to this god…what had he given up?

Before she could ask more, Eli pressed his fingers to her temples.

She flinched, trying to pull away, but he held her firmly. ‘What are you doing?’ she implored.

‘I promised I wouldn’t hurt you,’ he replied impatiently. ‘Now stay still.’

Once the bargain was made, even a Star could not break it. It was that, and only that, which allowed Elara to trust the slippery god in front of her.

Eli closed his eyes, and Elara felt cool water over her mind, a balm against her ravaged thoughts. She almost sighed as it flowed over her, massaging her until she relaxed enough. She heard Eli’s voice from far away.

‘I’m placing a shield around your mind,’ he said.

She felt it. Cool walls of metal, the same colour as her eyes.

‘Surely your sister will realize what you’ve done?’

She heard an arrogant scoff.

‘Not when it’s crafted well enough. I’m not a Star of cunning for nothing.’ She felt him tinker in her mind, adding embellishments and adjustments. When he was done, she breathed out a long sigh. Her mind was clear, sharp.

‘When Gem looks in, all she will see is your mind and a few false memories pulled to the forefront. Enough for her to give up and not look past them to the wall.’

He straightened, adjusting his pinstriped waistcoat.

‘I’d best be going. My favour has now been fulfilled. I’ve kept you as safe as I can.’ Elara nodded, watching him go towards the door.

‘Eli?’

The Star’s eyes rested on her.

‘What did he do? How did he buy your favour?’

The Star cocked his head. ‘He had to tell me a truth. One that he cannot bear to utter aloud. One that could be wielded against him if I chose.’

Fear bloomed in her chest. To give up something so intimate, to a Star, no less.

‘Thank you,’ she whispered.

The Star said nothing more, simply nodding to her and heading for the door.

But then he halted on the threshold, turning back as though he had remembered something he wanted to say.

‘I have only once before met a person with such purpose and vengeance as Lorenzo when he summoned me.’

‘And who was that?’

Eli’s answer was a faint smile as he disappeared from sight, the door closing behind him.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

---