Page 27 of Bound By Stardust
He was a hideous demon.
“Tonight, we stand before each other as unmasked brethren. Let us share a drink and show our true faces. Soon, a day will come where we’ll no longer need to hide, for the world will revere and worship us as their saviors.”
One by one, the Masters removed their masks, revealing their demonic appearance. The younger ones had leathery skin stretched over their bones. They all had fangs and variations of pointed ears, claws, tails, and round orbs for eyes.
It was as I feared.
When I’d thrown stardust at Iscariot, he’d been wearing a glamor. It was the stardust that revealed his true form and burned his skin. I was unsure if all the Masters were demons, or if it were just Iscariot, but tonight’s revelation gave me the dreaded proof I’d been seeking.
Readying myself for what was to come, I removed my mask, the golden hair floating to the ground. Luminous eyes turned to me, and a guttural gasp floated through the room.
Jabel spoke first. “What have you done with Iscariot?”
Making a fist, I backed away. “Come any closer, and you’ll find out.”
“You’re supposed to be dead,” someone else echoed.
“Iscariot bragged about killing you six months ago.”
“How is this possible?”
Alder’s dry tone cut through the chatter. “Rest assured my brethren. Drazhan, the face changer, shall get what he deserves. I called you here for a reason, and since he is not one of us, he won’t know how to escape.”
I took another step back, eyes narrowed. How difficult could it be to escape? I’d spent the past year studying the habits of the Masters, learning their weaknesses. Stardust was the missing weapon, and now that I had it, it was time for judgment day.
I opened my fist and hurled the stardust at Adler.
19
Asira
Talons curled around my waist, ripping at the flimsy material of my dress. A blast of cold air seared my skin, and I bit back a scream as I was lifted out of the hole and up into the midnight sky.
My heart dipped as a weightlessness came over me, worse than it had been on the chariot ride. I had a strong impulse to squirm until it dropped me, but reason won over. Wherever this creature was taking me could not be worse than a castle full of hellish demons.
At last, the winged creature dropped me, and I landed with a thump on soft earth. My teeth were chattering, and I lay still, too afraid to move. My side throbbed from where talons had dug into my flesh, and when I put my hand there, warm blood oozed out.
I was too numb to fully feel the pain, but once I warmed up, I would. One vial of stardust still hung around my throat. I needed it to both heal and defend myself, but first, I needed to find a warm place to hide.
Cold wind blew around me as the creature gave an ear-shrieking cry and lifted, wings flapping as it flew away.
Alone, I listened.
Occasionally, a chill breeze blew, and in the distance was the sound of swiftly flowing water. I willed myself to sit up, the starlight giving me light.
In the distance, I spied the golden towers of the Masters’ castle, but the depth of darkness separating me from it led me to believe I was no longer on the main floating island. There were three islands, all linked together by a thin strip of land, with the largest one in the middle and two smaller ones beside it.
I guessed the winged beast had brought me to one of the smaller islands to feast, but no signs of a nest revealed itself. Hugging my bare shoulders, I turned my back on the golden castle and faced the darkness. As my eyes adjusted, I saw a hump. Was that a home in the hillside?
I licked my dry lips and limped toward it. If devils lived there, I was in no shape to fight, but perhaps I could hide. Thoughts of Drazhan flickered to the forefront, and I glanced back, wondering what might be happening to him.
One week ago, my spirits had soared when I was chosen, and I had believed Drazhan had granted my wish. Now? How far I’d fallen from the heights of that moment and the euphoria of dwelling within the starry kingdom.
Why hadn’t I been happy with my simple life? My desire for more than the life my grandmother lived had introduced me to horror. What I would give to be back on the ground in my cottage, impatiently waiting for the next wounded soul to arrive at my door.
As soon as I found shelter, I’d make a plan to escape. I could no longer stay in Terrin, for fear the Masters would come for redemption. No, I had to pack up my belongings and follow the road elsewhere.
My heart sank, for the idea of starting over was daunting. Would I find another village in need of a Stardust Collector or healer?
