Gabriella waved her hand and shrugged. “He does not know it yet, but he will be mine.”
“Well, he’s certainly a good guy,” Ana answered. “One of the best.
“Call me Gabby, since we are friends now.” Gabriella faced Ana and crossed her legs.
At first, Ana was a little overwhelmed by Gabby’s upfront attitude, but after the shock wore off, she decided she really liked her. “So, what was it like when Lifen found you? She came to me as a dog and then turned into human form. How did she come to you?”
Gabby’s energy lowered and she grew more serious. “I was at my casa and she knocked on the door. I have lived alone since my madre passed, so I am careful about who comes in. There was something about her that told me I would be safe. I trusted her—I have good intuition, like my madre. That was one of the strangest conversations I ever had. She told me about shifters and healers. I knew healing ran in my family, but I did not know how strong it could be.”
Ana chuckled, remembering the first time Chance told her he was a shapeshifter. It was one among many strange conversations she’d never imagined herself having. “Oh, I know what that’s like. Trust me, you’ll have weirder moments than that now that you know about this magical world.”
Gabby nodded with exuberance. “Every day I learn something new. So, you are a healer shapeshifter like Lifen?”
The guys had come in carrying their bags and left them alone when they saw them talking. Ana gave her the backstory on how her powers had come into existence and what had happened in her life since she’d met Chance. At the end of it, Gabby was left shaking her head with wide eyes.
“Oh! So, you started being normal and now you have powers? I am trying to understand everything I am being taught, but it is a lot. My madre would show me how to use plants to heal people. She always said I had poder curativo, healing power, like my ancestors. I feel I have purpose in my life now, using the gifts I was given. I finally belong.”
Ana nodded and stared sideways out the wide windows in the living room. White flakes were still floating down from the sky and she could even see bright energy motes rising toward the clouds, going against the flow of weather. It was truly breathtaking.
Momentarily distracted by the beauty outside, she returned her attention to Gabby. “I never could have imagined having this kind of power. The same day I discovered my abilities, I lost Chance to the sickness and focused on saving him. I haven’t had the time to even think about my powers in any other way than that.”
She could relate to Gabriella’s happiness about belonging, but her purpose still seemed beyond her grasp. Maybe that would come with time.
Gabby straightened herself, scooted to the edge of the cushion and slapped her hands on her knees. “That is enough of that. We have great fun ahead of us tonight. Let us see if they need any help getting everything ready.”
“I can’t wait. Is there anything to snack on? After the trip I am starved.”
“Si, you could look in the kitchen,” Gabriella said on her way down the hallway.
Ana found something to eat; then they helped out in the dining room setting the table and putting up some silver streamers from the ceiling. The afternoon turned into twilight when the front door opened and Mac’s voice called through the house.
“Hello? Have the travelers returned?”
Ana didn’t miss the look of relief on Chance’s face when they heard the shout. Before they could go to the living room, Mac entered the kitchen where they were pouring a hot tea for everyone.
Batukhan handed Mac his steaming mug. “Welcome back, friend. Happy New Year.”
Mac sniffed the liquid in the mug and frowned. “Isn’t it customary to drink alcohol?”
Lifen answered, “You forget how old these younglings are. They need clear minds while they’re developing.”
“Right.” Mac shrugged and took a sip.
Chance walked forward with his hand outstretched and shook Mac’s hand. “I was worried you weren’t coming back.”
“Of course I was going to come back. I’m needed here. That’s why I used the time to my advantage while you were with your families. Speaking of which, how did it go? The wedding still on or has your mother-in-law threatened bodily harm? Nothing like a little familial strife to put kindling on the ‘star-crossed lovers’ fire. Makes for a passionate relationship.” Mac winked at them both and Ana blushed.
Chance threw Ana a sly grin. “No serious threats. Can’t imagine feeling stronger than I already do. And yeah, everything went well. Better than I thought it would.”
Mac turned his attention to Ana. “How are you feeling after the trip? Good?”
His eyes combed over her body like a doctor assessing one’s health. She had no idea why he’d ask her that and not Chance, the one who was recovering from the sickness, but she answered just the same, “Fine. Never better.”
“Great, that’s great.”
Jordan interrupted the greetings to ask, “Can we start dinner now? It’ll be dark soon.”
A smile crept across Lifen’s face and she conceded, “Very well, yes. Why don’t we eat now that Mac is here. But don’t you want to wait until midnight to—” Jordan’s eyes widened and Lifen stopped short. “Very well, why don’t we serve ourselves in here? We made too much food to put on the table.”
Chance sat beside Ana and she was pleased he seemed so at ease. She could truly see a change in his emotions and behavior over the last many weeks since he’d been working with Mac. He was more like himself again. But that didn’t explain her own growing anxiety.
Something wasn’t quite right and she couldn’t shake the feeling. It couldn’t be the wedding. She was beyond happy thinking about them committing their lives to each other. Her mom knew their plans and hadn’t threatened to disown her, so what was up?
After their neverending meal of egg drop soup, fried rice, beef with vegetables, spring rolls and chicken skewers had been consumed, Derek put on some music in the living room. It made Ana laugh seeing everyone cut loose dancing. Lifen and Batukhan wore silver hats and watched from the couch. Gabby and Derek couldn’t seem to stay away from each other and Jordan initiated a hilarious round of limbo.
At a quarter to midnight, Jordan’s excitement couldn’t be contained any longer. “Okay everyone, it’s time to go outside. I have a surprise for you.”
Gabby was the only one that needed to pull on a jacket. Derek zipped it up for her while holding her gaze. Ana and Chance followed them out the door and up the walkway. When they all made it to the driveway, Jordan fumbled with something in his pocket and climbed down the slope out of view.
Lifen breathed out. “I’m glad it’s a clear night. He’s been so excited about this. I didn’t want him frightening the animals, but I’ve never seen him quite so happy.”
Something whistled above their heads and an explosion rang out. Stardust bloomed in the sky and trickled through the air. One firework upon another exploded in a colorful array. Everyone ooh’ed and ah’ed at the display.
Ana glanced at her phone and saw the time. “Hey guys, it’s a minute to midnight! Jordan, get up here!”
His head poked up and he scrambled onto the driveway. Ana began counting down at twenty seconds and everyone joined in. When they reached “one,” shouts of “Happy New Year” echoed across the valley. Chance’s lips found hers and he pulled her in close. His hot breath tickled the hairs on her ear as he whispered, “I love you.”
She gazed into his eyes and breathed in the cold, crisp night air, which made her temples ache. Before she could respond to him, Batukhan announced with surprise, “You’re glowing, Ana.”
Everyone turned to look at her and she lowered her eyes to see why they were staring. Her exposed skin was radiant. Not as bright as a glow worm, but definitely illuminating.
Mac’s voice cut the silence. “How unfortunate. A star maiden.”
Chapter 13
She’d heard that name before. Star maiden. It sounded so romanti
c and beautiful, but the expression on Mac’s face gave her pause. His eyes were wide with amazement and sadness. Lifen and Batukhan turned to Mac with frightened expressions.
Mac scanned the wilderness. Then he put his arms around Chance and Ana. “We should go inside.”
“What’s going on?” Gabby asked Derek, who shrugged and nuzzled his nose against her cheek.
Mac guided Chance and Ana all the way down to the house. When they were safely inside, he finally let go. Each breath Ana exhaled seemed to provide even less oxygen than the last. Faint and numb, Ana leaned against Chance for support. That exact moment, Ana felt like she was back on Dr. Wilson’s exam table at Children’s Hospital, waiting for her diagnosis.
This was it. The other shoe dropping.
In the living room, everyone encircled them and waited for Mac to speak. Even Lifen and Batukhan shared a curious, but frightened expression, suggesting they, like Ana, were awaiting unknown information.
Somehow, Ana found her voice first. Her throat was dry and closed up, so it came out soft, timid. “I’ve heard that before. What is a star maiden?”
Mac blinked and didn’t say anything. When he did speak, his words were chosen with care. “Many cultures have legends of the star maiden. The Native Indians said that a beautiful star maiden came to Earth with her sisters. When a young hunter saw her in the forest, he fell in love. Worried he’d frighten her away if he approached as a mortal, he turned into a field mouse and ran under her feet. When he was close enough, he became a man again and held her tight. Although her sisters had run away, Star Maiden did not. She looked into his eyes, saw how handsome he was and returned his love. The two were married, but it was not long before Star Maiden felt the call to return home, to the stars.”
All of this was strangely familiar to Ana. She interrupted him, “That’s a great story and all—it actually reminds me of the ox herder and the weaver girl story Lifen told me, but I don’t know what that means. Can you just talk straight with me?”
Mac shrugged and said, “Listen, Ana, I’ve only heard of women like you. Never met or seen one for myself and I have seen many things. This is how rare you are. I understand star maidens are born of sacrifice—shifter healers like you and Lifen—but star maidens are rare even among your kind. From what I understand, from the time they are created, their energy builds at an abnormal rate. Their glow can be seen by mundanes when they enter this heightened phase. And this continues until they supernova. There is no recovering if this happens. Unlike the name, you don’t actually become a star, but you return your energy back to the earth—there is nothing left of you.”
Beside her, Chance whispered, “No.”
Numbness took hold of Ana’s body and she could only blink in response. She stared at Mac as he continued to speak, feeling distanced from what was happening around her.
“The human body cannot control that amount of power from igniting when it’s released, but there is a creature that’s able to. The phoenix. It’s the one being that can let go of that amount of energy and survive.”
Ana stared in disbelief at Lifen. “Have you ever heard of any of this? Can he be right?”
Lifen shared a look with Batukhan before speaking. “I have heard the star maiden stories, but did not think they were real. I also know the phoenix legends, but have never heard of their connection.” A frown crossed her face and she faced Mac. “I do not understand how a man like yourself knows of this? Can you be old enough to hold this knowledge?”
While Lifen spoke to him, Mac held his gaze on Ana, unmoving. His hazel eyes drilled into her. The questions asked went unanswered. A gentle inquiry was made, his voice soft and low, “How do you know this name? Where did you hear it before? Think.”
Agitated, Ana wracked her brain, trying to remember. It wasn’t too long ago, but not so close that it had happened after Christmas. Definitely before she went home to Idaho with Chance.
Star maiden. A vision filled her thoughts. It was of her standing in the snow, glowing along with the moonlight.
“I know,” she said. “Chance’s dream. A couple weeks ago I saw what he was dreaming. It was his memory of the night we found each other and the first moments he saw me. Before he attacked. The voice in his head called me a star maiden.”
The look of sadness on Mac’s face morphed and twisted into something else. Fear.
Somehow, Ana got the feeling that the worst of the news hadn’t even come yet. She couldn’t seem to move her focus from Mac. Time felt like it slowed as she waited for more from him. Chance’s hand fumbled for hers and they held onto each other like there was no letting go.
“That changes things, sadly. I thought I could deal with that little problem myself without involving you all, but it seems I was wrong. You’re in it now.” Mac gestured to the couches and chairs. “We might as well sit down while I decide how much is safe for you to know.”
The night’s amusements had long dissolved from the other’s faces. Jordan, Derek, and Gabby watched Ana like bystanders of a horrible disaster. Derek sat down on a sofa chair and pulled Gabriella onto his lap. Jordan perched wide-eyed on the armrest, making him seem even younger than he was.
Mac sat to the left of Ana and Chance on the couch and Batukhan and Lifen settled on the loveseat to their right. Everyone remained silent, but shot uneasy glances around the room.
“From the time Batukhan filled in the details of the night I met Chance, I’ve suspected Chance hadn’t suffered from only the shifter sickness. And a few weeks back, Chance and Ana passed information to me that confirmed my suspicion. I haven’t wanted to concern you with the details since it is my task to take care of it, my post and duty. I thought I could get Chance on his feet so I could leave to find him on my own, but now—” Mac sighed and patted Ana’s shoulder. “Chance was not only suffering from the sickness, but something far worse. Shifters have been part of this world for a long time and since that age, there have been those curious enough to reach for what’s just beyond their reach—eternal life and the power of the universe. Through experimentation, some discovered how to fuse their intact soul to another’s when they were killed. I will not discuss the details, since this knowledge is dangerous and those who hold it”—Mac stared at Chance and Ana—“must never use or share it. This has always been a problem with shifters. I believe it has everything to do with our decreasing numbers. You see, if you absorb the energy from another of our kind, a fraction of their memories and personality is fused to you—this includes animal mappings. This is a moral dilemma. Do you use the information that you did not earn, or do you wait to understand that knowledge?”
Ana thought about the forms she’d taken based off the memories Chance had left her with. Her cheeks flushed with guilt. She wasn’t born with these gifts—she’d been given them by sacrifice. Now, she felt unworthy of them. No better than a child with a shiny new toy, she’d leapt first and realized the implications later.
Under her breath, she said, “I didn’t earn it, but I used my new powers anyway. I pushed my limitations too fast so I could help Chance. I’ve been living on borrowed time—I was never supposed to survive that day on the mountaintop. Maybe I’m a star maiden for good reason—I did it to myself.”
Chance slid to the floor at her feet and grabbed her shoulders. His fingers dug in as he shook her. “Don’t talk like that. It can’t be true. You deserve to be alive just like anyone else. It’s not true, it’s not. Mac, tell her.”
The smile that spread across Mac’s lips was a melancholy one, making Ana feel more justified in her statement. He answered, “Ana is very wise. But while I’m alive I will fight to prove her wrong—it’s my job to protect the world from those whose purpose is selfish and she is the furthest thing from it. I have discovered someone that threatens us all.” Mac tilted his head to the side.
Their anxious stares pushed him to continue. “It wasn’t only the sickness that ailed Chance, it seems. There’s a soul named Daemon that was previously hosted in Chanc
e’s cousin. When Chance killed Markus, Daemon, having the ability to fuse to Chance’s energy at the release of his soul, attached himself to Chance. These beings can be almost impossible to find and even harder to fight and permanently release. This wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for the fact that he knows you’re a star maiden. I’m sure he was fascinated with you and your power at first. You would be tempting to anyone like him, a vessel—sorry Ana, no better way to say it—that has far more power than any shifter. You’re young and easier to break into submission. I commend Chance for trying to hold out for so long, but many cave to the powerful urges and images they’re exposed to.”
Chance pinched his eyes shut. “So, it was more than just an impression of another shifter. That’s why the voice was so strong.”
“Yes.”
A more important question needed to be asked, but Ana couldn’t find her voice. Her throat had gone dry.
“What’s it matter that he knows she’s a star maiden?” Chance spat, agitated.
“It’s believed that once a shifter, like Daemon, is able to soul jump as he does, it is the second step toward immortality. The final phase requires a massive amount of power to be able to fuse with energy itself, creating the ability to dissipate or coalesce. To become energy—become immortal. The kind of heat and intense power can only be generated by a star maiden when her energy is released to the universe, returning her to the stars.” Mac crossed his arms and leaned them on his knees. “Chance, I don’t think I have to tell you that a personality like Daemon’s would not be a good candidate for this kind of power. Don’t you agree?”
Chance tipped back into a sitting position at Ana’s feet. His skin blanched and he shook his head. “He’s still around? I thought you said he was gone.”
Mac placed his hand on Chance’s shoulder. “While you went home to Idaho, I went to see if I could find him, but it’s hard finding someone who doesn’t want to be found.”
Jordan stood up and began to back out of the room while he looked from one face to the next. “Who’s he in?”
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