Page 85 of The Stars are Dying

All he gave was a wicked half-smile that crawled over me. Not with wariness or fear, but a dangerous intrigue. I stepped back. Turning away, I took off at a brisk pace, trying to clear my mind ofhim.

“Is he tracking me with this?” I asked, finally stepping onto the cobbled street, which I was grateful to find empty of bodies in the early hour.

“The map is its own enchantment. Merely a tool that could switch allegiance.”

“You say that as if it’s alive.”

“Magick is life itself,” Nyte said. “It is its own force, as long it can reside in and answer to a vessel. A person with magick can push it too far and it will retaliate. Magick doesn’t like to be taken advantage of.”

“So this map could…trick me?”

Nyte shrugged. “It’s possible. Maybe if you took it to a tavern when it would prefer a brothel.”

I went to whack his arm, but he disappeared in a blink. His low chuckle caressed my other side, and I whirled to him with a scowl.

“There are three types of magick vessel,” he went on, tipping his chin for me to walk with him. “Genetic, gifted, and cursed. You’ll find most magick is genetic. Strengths and talents can vary depending on bloodline, and for that reason, people can spend their lives looking for their Bonded.”

“Bonded?”

Nyte gave a nod. “A match of power, nothing more. When a pairing bonds, it’s a blood exchange, and they act as each other’s amplifiers, sometimes gaining a new power or strengthening what they have. They don’t need to be romantic. They can have children with others and will still pass on the new height of their ability.”

I stumbled as cinnamon filled my nostrils, tightening my stomach with a craving at the worst time.

“A favorite of yours?” Nyte mused, following my gaze. His tone was almostknowing.

I shook my head merely to push away my longing for the pastries and kept walking. “Gifted magick?” I prompted. His knowledge was fascinating and a welcome distraction.

“It appears mostly among the celestials, those given a higher power by the God and Goddess when they visit the Temple of Ascension. It is how the three High Celestials were chosen and how they have continued to be since the dawn of time. Celestials can be alchemists, soothsayers, and have many other talents. Regardless of if they receive a divination, they all have a role to play in cycling souls to the stars.”

I took in everything and was glad for his pause so I could store what knowledge I could.

“The vampires are cursed. Or at least that’s how they came into creation, but now they are born,” he went on as if knowing I wouldn’t stop until I’d heard it all. “Their existence relies on blood and souls to thrive, and they, along with the fae, were not impacted by the imbalance that’s shaking the source of all solar energy.” He looked up, and though it was daytime I knew what he was about to say.

“The stars,” I concluded.

Nyte branched off down a narrow alley. “This way.”

This section of the city smelled like coal and ash. The buildings were mostly brown and worn, but some were over eight stories high, and I had to crane my neck to see their crooked roofs.

“Keep up unless you want to be swept up in the morning work rush,” Nyte called, indicating how far I’d slowed behind him.

“I thought the star-maiden was their savior. One of them.”

“She was—is,” he corrected, occasionally sparing me a glance to gauge my reactions. I didn’t know what my expression told him. “But five hundred years ago, what entered the world was a power that clashed too strongly with hers. Two entities that were never supposed to exist together.”

“Who is the other?”

He didn’t answer.

I watched a few humans exiting their homes, casting wary looks at me, and some of them widened their eyes like they knew exactly who I was already. I didn’t think it was that obvious, but I glanced down at my attire and found the blaring beacon. I went to unclip the sigil of Alisus, but Nyte’s hand hovered over mine.

“That is the only thing keeping you safe before twilight.”

I nodded at my error though the attention was grating on me. “This…other entity,do they still live?” I asked as a diversion.

“Yes. And people are starting to notice the nights are growing darker. Soon longer.”

“Because the star-maiden has returned.”

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