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How had they survived? Done something so impossible?
No, I was too tired to think. So I let my head fall back on my flat pillow and pulled the deep green quilt over my body. Normally I hated anything but black or silver, but for some reason when Maitoza asked which color I wanted, the forest green was the one I felt called to grab.
Just as I closed my eyes and welcomed the nightmares that were sure to come, my front door burst open, the sound of rattling glass echoing across the empty cottage. Sighing, I opened my eyes again, surprise flooding me as I saw who was staring at me.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Nova
“It’s said that when the stars rained their essence down upon the first Altair, the universe itself bowed in submission to his might.”
-From the journal of Nova Tershetta, 9258 AS
“We have plans to take this planet from the Ibreta Galaxy, which Elite Tershetta says is emanating an immense amount of magic,” General Altair said, followed quickly by Colonel Vaxys bringing up a glowing map of the galaxy before pinpointing the planet. It was far smaller than ours, but I could feel the pulse of magic from it.
The general had taught me how to sit down, close my eyes, focus on my breathing, and clear my mind. When done right, I was capable of entering the sky itself. At least, my consciousness was. I could soar through the cosmos, darting past planets long since burned to ash or turned to rubble. It was the only time I ever felt at peace now.
I had spotted planet nine-one-nine just this morning, though it wasn’t the conquest I was hoping for. No, I was searching for something far more important.
“Excellent, with the proper coordinates secured, we can send out the Intelligence Division immediately,” Colonel Elders said,not missing an opportunity to scoff at me in disgust when he realized I was the one who had discovered this new planet, therefore the reason they had a mission.
It had been six months since I received the stars, and still they all looked at me in disgust. All of them except for Talon, that was.
“Yes, each of you are to ready your companies. We’ll likely need our entire force. However, I do imagine the stars will be pleased with this offering. Yes, Elite Tershetta?”
Gaze flicking to General Altair, I nodded. “The stars will accept our offering with excitement.”
“Oh, will we? Interesting.”
As always, they loved to butt in at the worst time.
Mind your business.
Their simultaneous huffs of displeasure echoed in my mind. According to them, I was irritating and hostile.
“You are, and we find you exhausting.”
Then get out of my head and pick somebody else!
“So ungrateful.”
With that, they went silent, their bluff pointless. They wouldn’t leave my head, not when they felt confident I was the one who would finally bring the chaos they craved. Plus, I was quite certain they were a prideful bunch, and that meant not admitting they had picked the wrong shaytan. Especially since the last one they chose had been so disappointing.
“Well then, we will meet next week and further discuss our progress. You each are to report to Elite Tershetta daily.” A general scoff of disapproval came from eighteen of the grown men around me.
Surprise surprise. Even if I weren’t an akhata, they’d still hate that I was a woman, made obvious by the way they forced their wives and daughters into submission and subservience.
“Enough!” General Altair boomed, slamming his hand on the thick oak table and forcing shadows to burst out of his palm. They ricocheted, slamming into the family heads, the men grunting in pain. Talon chuckled at my side, clutching my hand tightly in his. “Elite Tershetta has been chosen by our celestial rulers. She is the closest thing to a deity among us. Your disapproval is understandable, but no longer acceptable. You are dismissed.”
This was the first time he stood up for me in such a blatant way, though this was also the first time he was involving me so heavily in a mission. I wished he wouldn’t. I’d gladly have nothing to do with any of it. My own plan was more important.
Standing, I pushed off the table and didn’t bother tucking in my own chair. With my feet firm, I shoved through the small crowd of men, daring to smile at their grunts of pain or annoyance.
Talon kept pace with me, his silence a sign that he had a lot to say. Outside the towering black doors was my squad, who had been assigned to me once the attacks began.
So far, my murder had been attempted on seven separate occasions. Which would be sad if the general hadn’t acted so surprised. It was laughable really. Because he knew they’d try. We all did. And then, just to rub salt into the wound, he assigned me three squad members.
Dofrel walked up to my left side, opposite Talon. Elders and Otarn remained in the back. The five of us moving in unison.
