Page 57 of Of Shadow and Moon

I pause, setting the fork down. “Your mother?” I whisper back.

She nods, hesitating before speaking. “She had... gifts. Abilities. Ones I’ve inherited.” Her fingers trace the edge of her cup, as though she’s steadying herself.

“What kind of abilities?” I ask cautiously, leaning in closer.

Nasarea’s voice tightens, and she whispers, “I can see memories. Other people’s memories. It’s why my father kept me hidden all these years, and why he kept mother hidden from the world. It’s painful for the person. Honestly, it’s very invasive, but it’s... powerful. He called me Atlacoya’s secret weapon.”

The words hang heavy between us, and my stomach churns. I stare at her, the weight of what she’s saying sinking in. “You can see people’s memories?” I repeat, my voice barely audible.

She nods, her gaze flicking to Nazriel again, as though to confirm he’s still watching. Of course he is. His glare hasn’t wavered.

“Why are you telling me this?” I ask, glancing around the room to ensure no one is listening. Most of the students are too engrossed in their own conversations, but Nazriel’s intense stare remains fixed.

“Because I think you should know,” Nasarea says, her tone firm. “If things get worse, if the trials, the politics, whatever’s going on with this place, if any of it comes crashing down, you need to understand what I can do.”

I sigh, rubbing my temples with a mix of disbelief and amusement. “So what you’re saying is… my roommate’s basically a total badass.” A small laugh escapes me despite myself.

Nasarea smirks, her chuckle low and dark. “You’re just figuring that out?”

For a moment, we sit in silence, the hum of the dining hall filling the void between us. I glance at Nazriel again, and his icy gaze narrows.

I take a deep breath, my chest tightening with the weight of what I’m about to say. “If we’re sharing secrets…” I say slowly, my voice barely above a whisper. “I have something I need to tell you, too.”

I really want a friend. Genuinely, I do. The closer I get to Nasarea, the more I realize just how badly I wanted this. She has already made the witch promise, sealed by magic that she won’t betray me, so I know it’s time to give her a piece of me.

Nasarea’s eyes snap to mine, curiosity sparking. “Oh?”

I hesitate, glancing at her, then back at my untouched plate. My pulse quickens. “A few nights before I came to Obsidian Academy, I... died.”

Her eyebrows shoot up. “You what?”

“I died,” I repeat, the words foreign and heavy on my tongue. “I don’t know how or why, but I woke up in a morgue. Alive.”

Nasarea blinks at me, her expression unreadable. For a moment, I think she’s going to laugh or call me crazy; instead, she leans in closer. “You’re serious.”

I nod. “Dead serious.” The irony isn’t lost on me. “I’ve been trying to figure it out, but nothing makes sense. I thought maybe it was just a fluke, but... I don’t know. And it’s not like I’m a zombie or something. I haven’t like decayed or anything.” I sigh out a huge breath of relief. “I needed to tell someone too.”

Nasarea studies me, her gaze sharp. “Do you remember how it happened? How you… died?”

“Yes,” I admit. “Someone came up from behind me with a rope.” I rub at my throat at the memory. He had to of been a Tonaloca because I couldn’t fight him off. He was too strong.

Nasarea exhales slowly, her fingers tightening around her cup. “Why would someone want to kill you?” She breathes out slow. “Are you ready to talk about those scars?” I wince, but before I can reply and spill a half truth, Nasarea hits me with so much force, I almost fall backwards. “Selestina!” she almost hisses, “I don’t think you’re human.”

I open my mouth to protest, to say something, anything, but nothing comes out. She’s staring at me, her expression calm, but her words charged with meaning.

“I think…you might be right.” I finally manage to croak out.

I shake my head, the thought too big, too overwhelming to grasp. I steel myself to tell her about the shadows. “Nasarea, I?—”

“I can heal.” She interrupts, cutting me off. “Not well, but enough to know that whatever is going on with you isn’t natural. You said you don’t know what happened, but you’re alive, Selestina. That’s not nothing.”

I stare at her, my mind racing. Heal? Memories? Her words spin in my head, colliding with my own doubts and fears.

“This is insane,” I mutter, burying my face in my hands.

“Tell me about it,” she says, her tone softer now. “Look, I don’t know what this all means, but I do know one thing. We’re both sitting on secrets that could get us killed. We need to figure this out before someone else does. Don’t forget…” She whispers, lowering her voice to where only I can hear her. “My dad specifically said your name. Selestina, el Rey de Atlacoya, wants intel onyou. It might be safe to assume that more people are assuming you are more than you seem.”

I lower my hands, meeting her gaze. “You’re right,” I admit reluctantly. “There’s too much going on. Too many questions and not enough answers.”

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