When Stars Come Out (When Stars Come Out 1)

Wait. “You’re

a death-speaker?”

“Technically? No. I didn’t inherit my mother’s gift of seeing the dead.”

I’m still reeling.

“I’m guessing you’re the reason for all the ravens?” she says.

I nod once and give a shortened version of what happened last night during and after the forced Queen’s Ransom and their belief I will be safe at Temple this weekend. I leave out Lily’s resurrection.

After a moment Lennon asks, “Do you want to escape?” Yes...but something keeps me from saying that out loud. “I can help you.”

“Why? They’ll just come after you.”

She smiles, but it’s a strange smile—challenging, as if she’s saying I’d like to see them try. I shiver.

“I hate Shadow Knights,” she says at last. The use of the word hate surprises me, but then she says, “They killed my mom.”

Her words slice through me and settle in my stomach, sharp as knives and yet my brain can’t comprehend. Did she just say a Shadow Knight killed her mom? Why? When? How long has she lived with this secret? How long has she known she’s surrounded by Shadow Knights?”

“Lennon...I…”

“Don’t be sorry,” she says quickly. “Just don’t trust the Order.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR – SHY & THE REVELATION

I know something bad has happened when I arrive at school because Natalie’s waiting in the parking lot for me. It reminds me of the day she broke the news that Lily’s relationship with a human was posted on Roundtable.

I immediately think of Anora.

Turns out, I’m not far from the mark. She shows me a series of posts about Anora that reveal her real name and link her to the murder of Chase Lockwood. This has negative consequences for Anora on all levels, but also puts her in danger from human and Valryn alike—really, anyone who wants revenge for Chase’s death. There are Valryn who care very little that she was defending herself when one of their own died and they think she should be punished.

I meet Natalie’s gaze. “Where is she?”

She hesitates. “Don’t get mad at me.”

My heart beats hard in my chest. Oh no. “What did you do?”

“I told Dad about the posts,” she admits. I start to push past her with the intention of heading straight to Headmaster Rivera’s office, but Natalie grabs my arm.

“Shy, think about it,” she begs. “Jacobi isn’t here to take down the site and Anora’s in danger. She’s known to the Order now. Who best to protect her?

I’m supposed to protect her, I want to argue, but Nat’s right. It will be easier if I don’t have to worry about whether or not Anora’s safe. Still, putting her wellbeing in the hands of someone else feels wrong.

“In the meantime, we can do some research,” Nat says. “Figure out who made those posts, who reanimated Lily’s corpse. We have work to do.”

I relent. “Right. Okay. I went by Jacobi’s house this morning and snagged his laptop.”

Well, one of his three laptops.

“I have his phone,” Natalie says. When I give her a look, she shrugs. “What? He’s got a lot of stuff on here, including that app he used to track Lily’s phone. We might need it.”

Fair enough.

Natalie and I find a spot in the library to camp out. We’re supposed to be in class, and we’ll probably get in trouble for skipping, but right now, I couldn’t care less.

I pull out Jacobi’s laptop and Natalie and I sit side by side as I open the Archive. Jacobi gained Commander-level access, probably using his mom’s codes. I understand why Jacobi looked up his own file; it’s hard to keep myself from doing the same, especially having access as I do right now. After discovering my father was aware of my connection to Anora, I want to research the Records and follow the threads of my past lives—of Anora’s past lives...