When Stars Come Out (When Stars Come Out 1)

Loyalty.

That word has been used a lot recently, especially with my family, and I don’t like it.

“Successor Roth has requested Council and will lead in his father’s stead. He’s asked our best Shadow Knights to attend,” My heart beats faster. “I’m appointing you as his guard for the duration of his stay—that means seeing his safe arrival and return to and from the airport and anywhere in between.”

I deflate, punctured by the blow.

You have to be kidding me.

I hate Roth DuPont.

He’s arrogant and self-serving and he cheats in battle, though he claims otherwise, it’s the only way he can beat me. I’m not the best choice for this job, seeing as how I’d like to shove his face into concrete. I want to say as much, but my honesty wouldn’t be appreciated, especially by Elite Cain, who sees this as a lofty assignment—who wouldn’t want to protect our Luminary-in-Training?

Me.

Still, now that I have had time to consider—why would Roth call Council? He’s not Luminary yet. Did it have something to do with the plane crash? Maybe it has something to do with the Shadow Knight who died in New York a month ago, his soul stolen right out of his body. It is clear darklings are getting stronger and bolder. The only way to fight them is to ferry lost souls into Spirit, a gift the Valryn once possessed but lost. Now the only thing we can do is protect as many humans as possible.

It’s getting harder.

Soon it will be impossible.

Those of us who still believe in Charon think he’ll send our salvation—the Eurydice, a soul that incarnates in human form and is granted the power to summon the Adamantine Gates and ferry souls into spirit to heal and reincarnate. It’s also our job to support and train her.

I know I won’t have answers unless I haul Roth around in my Jeep.

As bad as I hate to, I’ll suffer through it to attend Council.

“When should I expect him?” I’m proud of how even my voice is—all business—even if I want to spit blood every time I hear Roth’s name.

“Friday.”

“So soon?”

“I hope you don’t have plans.”

I know just as well as anyone that a Shadow Knight’s first obligation is to the Order, everything else in life comes second. There is no room for negotiations. My father shows this on a daily basis, and my mother learned it the hard way. Still, the simple dismissal of my life outside the Compound makes my blood boil.

“Of course not, Elite Cain. I just did not expect to serve so soon.”

Cain offers the same splintered smile. I always imagine him as a doll—his features painted in life-like color, but his expression, hollow. “Then this is an honor.”

I place my fist to my chest, and bow my head in acceptance of his task, but it feels like poison in my veins.

Elite Cain turns, and for a moment, I’m left with a clear view of my father. I haven’t seen him in about three days so it makes sense that the first thing out of his mouth would be criticism.

“Your footwork was slow,” he advises.

“I’m not looking for your approval.”

I haven’t made any attempt to get along with my father recently. I’m never good enough for him, so I’ve stopped trying.

As Elite Cain reaches the door, he pauses and calls over his shoulder. “We expect you at precisely six o’clock, Shadow Knight.” Exactly one hour before the game. He turns his head to look at me. “You are lucky to be living in this time of change.”

CHAPTER FIVE – ANORA & THE COIN BOX

Our new home is a two-story house with white siding and a big front porch. Very different from the multi-floor, brick apartment Mom and I moved from. I like it well enough, and there is definitely more room. Boxes are stacked all around, most of them new furniture, things to replace those we didn’t get to bring with us. Photos and frames rest on the bar. I pause, taking note of the ones Mom chose: pictures of Poppy—my grandmother—with Poppa and pictures of me when I was little.

Mom tosses her keys on the counter and sifts through the mail.