Page 207 of Fallen Stars

He watched Enzo half-run, half-stagger with Adrian now also in his arms as he hauled them all to the doors.

Eli didn’t dare blink as he let go of Merissa’s hand, scrambling behind him for the door’s lock. He willed his charm into it, whispering sweet nothings with his silver tongue before hearing, finally, the lock unlatch.

There was a hiss amongst the darkness, the music screeching to a halt as Eli slammed the door open.

“In!” he roared. “Now.” The group ran in, Lias and Enzo pushing the others forwards as Eli held the door for only a moment, Isra still over his shoulder.

And with a final gasp, as Adrian jumped in, Eli slammed the door onto the Dark.

Chapter Seventy

The doors to the templeflung open, Elara jumping in her seat as she saw the mess of bodies shoved in before the door slammed shut again.

But just before they did, she could have sworn that she saw a shadow, clawing at the wood.

Sagitton clapped with glee as the arrivals ran in. First Enzo, looking around the room wildly until he saw Elara.

“I’ll fucking kill you,” he snarled to Sagitton, who cackled again.

“Oh, nonsense. Come, have a seat and something to drink, King Sun.”

Elara’s breath came rapidly as she widened her eyes at Enzo, shaking her head slightly.

“Like hell I will,” Enzo growled.

Merissa followed. “Elara!” she cried, running towards her, but Sagitton tutted, and with a sick lurch, Elara felt his power pump even further into the air, his eyes a deep and menacing shade of purple.

“Sit,” Elara whispered as she glanced at the lunatic in front of her again. Sagitton grinned, taking a vine of grapes and lazily plucking one with his teeth. She noted the others filing in, Leo and Adrian both near unconscious, Isra too…and was thatLias? Merissa’s Star brother was holding the seer, and it took everything in Elara not to kill him where he stood for touching her friend. They all took seats around the table, save for Enzo who remained standing.

What the fuck was happening?

She went to snarl it to Sagitton when Eli stumbled in, a bottle of wine in his hand.

“A Kaosian girl is better than most, oh how I love… Sagiiiiii!” Eli slurred, grinning as he staggered forwards. “I lost you for a second, but this is some damn good wine.” He hiccupped, taking another swig. Then frowned. “Wait, who do we have here?”

What in the Stars was going on? Elara tried to catch Eli’s eye, but the Star was frowning as he looked to the others.

“You caught the Sun and the Moon?!” Eli began to laugh.

‘Play along’ she heard a voice say in her head.

“I’m going to gut you like I did your twin,” Elara snarled.

There was a slight gleam in Eli’s eye as he turned. “Stupid bitch thinks she’s above us,” Eli drawled.

Enzo lunged, punching the Star right across the jaw. Eli began to chuckle as sparkling blood ran down his cheek. “Ever the protective Lion.”

“I’ll fucking have your silver tonguefor that,” Enzo snarled as he landed another punch. Sagitton watched, a small smile on his face as he took another sip of wine. Eli finally pushed him off, shoving Enzo away as he brushed down his suit, skull paint still in place.

Elara’s eyes narrowed.

“So what’s the plan, Sag? You told Ariete we’ve got them?”

Sagitton chuckled again, more nervously this time. “Ariete has abandoned us. He’s running. Running, running, running.”

“What do you mean, running?” Elara snapped.

Sagitton trailed a finger down her cheek, and Enzo attempted to get to her, but buckled as another sickly wave of Sagitton’s charm hit him.

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