Silence of Stars

by Holly J. Wood

  Rusty was still watching me so I glanced back at the Academy, hoping for any sign of Cypris or Gideon. “Let’s give it two more minutes.” I said. “There are still enough Recruits out here that I don’t think Slade would try anything. Besides, what makes you think we’re a target?”

  “Not ‘we’—you.” He pointed at me. “Slade might come after you to get back at Gideon.”

  “How would that be getting back at him?”

  Rusty put a hand to his forehead and dropped it. “Because as I already said, anyone with half a brain can see that Gideon cares for you. Slade ranted about it all the time. He even reported on Gideon to Hardcastle, but she dismissed it when he didn’t have any proof.”

  “What?” The air vacuumed out of my lungs. It took several seconds for me to sputter a response. “That’s so ridiculous—it’s impossible. I can’t believe he did that.” My eyes narrowed. “Why didn’t you tell me about this before?”

  He shrugged. “Call me selfish, but I prefer not to bring up the subject.” His hazel eyes held mine. “And you’re right—it is impossible for you to be with him. Which is exactly what I’m hoping you’ll wake up and realize.” His gaze deepened as he took a small step forward. “And when you do, maybe you’ll finally see what’s right in front of you.” He took both of my hands in his, rubbing my knuckles with his thumbs.

  I shook my head. “Rusty—”

  “Hey, guys!”

  I pulled my hands free as we turned to see Cypris, Nadia and Gideon walking toward us. Gideon’s eyes flashed as he stared Rusty down.

  “Still going to pretend he’s not interested?” Rusty muttered. He glared back at Gideon before turning for my answer.

  I shifted. “He’s just upset about the fact they haven’t found Slade.” I needed something to break the tension so I turned and cupped my hands over my mouth. “Hey, where were you guys?” I called. “Is everything okay?”

  Gideon shook his head, his eyes still on Rusty. Not only was Nadia not crying anymore—she looked happy. The reaction didn’t seem appropriate considering the circumstances. Unless . . . I shook my head. Nadia wouldn’t have helped Slade escape. Not when he’d almost killed her brother.

  When they reached us, Cypris looked at Rusty. “Sorry I didn’t reply to your messages. Things got a little crazy.”

  “What happened? Any news on Slade?” I asked.

  “They still haven’t found him,” Gideon answered without looking at me.

  “With your tech, I thought you guys would have nabbed him by now,” Rusty said.

  A muscle twitched in Gideon’s neck. His eyes were hard as he turned to Rusty. “We know that someone helped him escape from his holding cell before he could be interrogated. Whoever it was knew the systems well enough to ensure that nothing got on camera. Slade’s cuff was left behind in the cell, so they can’t track him that way.”

  I watched Nadia as Gideon spoke. Her eyes looked everywhere but at us. She specialized in Tech. She could hack into anything. Was it coincidence that the alarms had gone off shortly after she’d left the Commons?

  “Well, one thing we do know is that he’s dangerous and on the loose. I’m ordering an Orb,” Cypris said, tapping her cuff.

  Nadia scowled. “You make him sound like a criminal. Slade wouldn’t attack us. He’s probably scared and hiding.”

  Gideon’s head reared back. “Do you even hear yourself? He attacked me and escaped holding. By definition he is a criminal.”

  Her blue eyes filled with angry sparks. “All I know is that Slade isn’t the demon you’re making him out to be. I’m sure he didn’t mean to use Light Kill, and I don’t think it’s right that he was going to be shipped off to prison without a trial. I’m glad he escaped.”

  My mouth dropped open.

  Gideon stepped forward, grabbing her arm as he lowered his voice. “You can’t talk like this. Hardcastle already views you as a suspect. I gave her my word you would never do anything like that.”

  The sparks faded as Nadia’s shoulders slumped. “She suspects me?”

  “Yes.” Gideon stepped back, his face grim. “They’re running through all possible suspects and you were on the list. Everyone knew you were in love with him. If you keep saying things like this they’ll bring you in for an official interrogation.”

  Nadia paled. “I didn’t do it.” She turned to each of us. “You guys know that, right?”

  I turned to Cypris. “You were with her when the alarms went off, weren’t you? So she has an alibi.”

  Rusty snapped his fingers. “That’s right! You guys left the Commons together.”

  Cypris worked her bottom lip. She and Nadia exchanged glances.

  Nadia finally shook her head. “No. I told her I wanted to be alone, so I went to the Tech Lab.”

  “Did anyone see you who could vouch for you?” Gideon asked.

  She shook her head. “I knew it would be empty during lunch, which is why I went there. I didn’t want to cry in front of everyone.”

  Gideon ran a hand through his hair. “This isn’t good. You were alone in the room that controls all of the cameras and has access to the building’s security.”

  Her lip trembled. “I know. It was stupid. But I swear I didn’t do it.”

  Gideon blew out a breath and put his hand on her shoulder. “It’s okay. Hopefully they’ll catch Slade and none of this will be an issue.”

  I bit my lip. For Nadia’s sake, I hoped he was right.

  “Here comes our ride,” Rusty said, gesturing to the Orb setting down a few yards off. He turned to me, taking my hand. “Sit by me?”

  Gideon cleared his throat. “Actually, there are a few things I need to discuss with Captain Taylor. In private.” His eyes locked on our hands. “We’ll call another Orb. You guys go ahead.”

  Cypris crossed her arms, her full lips drawing into a pout. “Don’t be silly. Whatever it is, you can talk about it in front of us.”

  Gideon shrugged. “Instructions from Lieutenant Hardcastle. She asked me to keep them confidential for now.”

  I raised an eyebrow and nodded, dropping my hand from Rusty’s. I was relieved to have an excuse to put a little distance between us. And as much as I tried to deny it, fireflies danced in my stomach at the thought of being alone with Gideon. Ever since my talk with Atwood I’d been aching to see him again.

  “Will you teach me how to request the Orb?” I asked Gideon, turning away from the disappointment in Rusty’s eyes.

  Gideon nodded. “It would be good for you to know how.” A hint of his intoxicating scent filled my senses me as he lifted my cuff. “Hit ‘transport’ on this menu.” He tapped the screen a few times. “Then select the size of Orb you need. It already knows your location.”

  Cypris huffed as she climbed into the Orb that would now be two passengers short. Nadia followed, mumbling something about transport waste. Rusty gave me one final glance before climbing in last.

  “See you later,” Cypris called before the door slid closed.

  We turned to wave. Rusty didn’t wave back. He watched us for a few seconds and then shook his head and looked away.

  “What’s his problem?” Gideon asked as they lifted off.

  “Why don’t you tell me?” I turned to face him. “What was with all the dirty looks?”

  Gideon’s eyebrows lifted. “What are you talking about?”

  I shifted. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. You were totally glaring at him when you came out of the Academy.”

  His blue eyes narrowed. “Maybe it was because of the public display of affection you two had going on when we came out.”

  I folded my arms. “You mean when he was holding my hands? That qualifies as PDA on Lior?”

  Gideon’s mouth formed a line. “It wasn’t just the way he held your hands. He was standing close and looking into your eyes like . . .” He looked away and muttered something under his breath.

  I put my hands on my h
ips. “Are you seriously trying to pull this right now?” I jabbed a finger in his chest. “You’re the one who told me to be with Rusty. It’s what you’ve practically been forcing on us, and now that he’s showing interest, you’re mad?”

  Gideon planted his feet, tucking his hands behind his biceps. “It’s not like that.”

  “Then what? Tell me what it’s like, Gideon, because I can’t keep up with you.”

  “I just didn’t think he’d move so fast, okay? I can’t—” his azure eyes burned into me before he looked away and swallowed. “I can’t afford for you to be distracted right now. Not with Slade out there, possibly making you a target.”

  He’d been about to say something else, I knew it, but I didn’t push it. The fact that he was jealous was enough satisfaction for the moment. I turned as our two-passenger Orb settled on the grass beside us. I looked back at Gideon. He was watching me, his eyes vulnerable. It was a look I’d never seen in them before.

  “Fine. I’ll keep a little more distance between us if that’s what you want,” I said.

  Gideon relaxed his shoulders. “Just until training is over. Once you go back,” he looked away again and his Adam’s apple bobbed, “you two can have your relationship.”

  “Or not.”

  His eyes snapped to mine. I gave him a coy smile and scanned my cuff at the Orb door before climbing in. Gideon got in beside me. As soon as the door slid closed the air inside the small space buzzed with a live current. My heart rate sped up as my eyes found Gideon’s.

  His face was serious as he studied me, then he leaned over and pressed something on the control panel. The glass walls tinted to almost black. I gasped in surprise.

  Gideon’s eyes glowed faintly in the semi-darkness. “It’s a safety precaution—in case Slade is out there.”

  I swallowed, my senses reeling from being alone in the dark with Gideon. I’d never wanted his Mindspeak so badly. I scooted as far away from him as the space would allow and crossed my legs. “So what was it Grace wanted you to tell me that was so top secret?”

  Gideon’s eyebrows pulled together and he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “She called me to her office to tell me she was concerned for my safety.” He shook his head. “I told her there was nothing to worry about, but because Slade attacked me, she’s afraid he might try it again. All of the airships at the Academy are accounted for. If his goal was to escape prison, he would have gone off-planet.” His eyes flicked to mine.

  “But since he didn’t take an airship . . .” my voice trailed off as the implication set in.

  “He has a reason for sticking around.” Gideon’s face hardened. “Knowing Slade, he may be out for revenge.”

  A chill ran down my spine. “What are we going to do? You need to go somewhere safe.”

  “No. If he’s going to come after me, it needs to be here where I have backup if I need it.” He leaned back in his chair. “Grace is putting me through special training. She wants me to learn how to use Light Kill—just in case.”

  I covered my face with my hands, wishing I could block out the reality of the danger Gideon was in; wishing I could turn back time and erase the fight that had started this nightmare.

  Gideon reached for my hand, pulling it away from my face and cradling it in both of his. My heart skipped several beats as his warm light seeped through me. Time stood still as I savored his touch. I’d been starved for his light.

  “If it was just me involved, I wouldn’t worry.” His eyes lifted slowly until they locked with mine. “But I can’t have anything happen to you, Lark.”

  I leaned on his shoulder, drawn by an irresistible magnetic force. Gideon let out a deep sigh and drew his arms around me. I wrapped my arms around his firm waist and buried my face in his shoulder. His scent filled my senses and his light poured into me until I thought I might burst. I gripped his waist harder to keep from begging him to use Mindspeak.

  I thought about his haunted eyes and found the resolve I needed. If Professor Atwood could teach me Mindspeak then I would give in to this, but only then. I’d tasted the maddening craving of needing his voice in my soul and not getting it. That’s what Gideon would always feel if I couldn’t ever Claim him back. I couldn’t live with myself if I caused him that pain.

  I pulled away.

  “What’s wrong?” He took my arms, gently trying to pull me back.

  I shook my head. “I can’t. Not right now.” I thought about telling him about Professor Atwood, but decided against it. If I couldn’t learn to Mindspeak then I would be giving him false hope. I rubbed my thumb along the rounded glass edge of my seat. “When will you start your training?”

  He studied me. “After I see you safely home, I’ll go back to the Academy and begin right away.” He must have misread the pained expression on my face, because he rushed on. “Our tree home has top-of-the-line security. You’ll be safe there.”

  “I’m not worried.”

  “Good.” He looked out the window and I realized we were getting close to the Norths’ property. Gideon turned back to me. “There’s something else. My training is going to be full-time and intense. I won’t be able to serve as your Guardian anymore.”

  I stopped breathing. “You won’t?”

  His eyes filled with regret as he shook his head. “Grace is going to assign Nadia as your new Guardian. She’ll do a great job, and Grace feels that if you’re a target,” he paused to control his voice, “Slade would be less likely to attack you with her around.”

  “I guess that makes sense.” My heart already stung at the thought of not spending any more time with Gideon. I lifted my eyes to his. “Will I see you at all these next few weeks?”

  He took my hand again, raising it to his lips.

  If not, let me speak to you one last time.

  I closed my eyes as an involuntary sigh escaped. I’d been starving for his Mindspeak and hearing it again brought a heightened sense of satisfaction. But I couldn’t let him do it. I opened my eyes and shook my head.

  “No.”

  Gideon’s eyes tightened. Please, just hear what I have to say.

  “Stop!” I covered my head with my hands. “You can’t. I won’t let you.”

  Gideon swallowed and looked away. “I’m sorry.”

  We sat in strained silence as the Orb touched down. He was at the door in seconds.

  My face crumpled. “Gideon, wait.”

  One side of his mouth lifted sadly. “I’m sorry for any pain I’ve caused you, Lark. Just . . . be careful.” The door slid open and he stepped out, walking swiftly toward the stable.

  I watched him, my heart shattering all over again with every step he took away from me. I dropped my face into my hands. Why hadn’t I let him speak to me? Why wasn’t I running after him now? I ran my fingers through my hair, letting out a frustrated sigh. Because it wouldn’t change anything. There was only one avenue of hope that could make it possible for our relationship to work: Professor Atwood.

  I glanced up at the sound of hooves thundering out of the stable. Gideon galloped past on Chrysaor. In his black Freedom Fighter uniform, he looked like some kind of mythological god astride Pegasus. Awe filled me as they lifted off at full speed, racing back toward the Academy.

  I watched them until they were a tiny dot on the horizon, and then climbed out of the Orb and headed toward the tree home. Determination quickened my pace as I reached for Professor Atwood’s stone in my pocket.

  CHAPTER

  Thirty-One

  Going to my room early was easier than I’d expected. Nadia wanted to be alone, and Saydra had given me an understanding smile when I’d said I was ready for bed right after dinner. She came with me to my room to make sure the balcony door and windows were locked before she activated the security. I had to admit, it was reassuring to know Slade couldn’t sneak into my room and toast me to a crisp in my sleep.

  I reached into my pocket and pulled out Atwood’s stone. W
ithin seconds of dialing the number into my cuff, light streamed out of a crack in the stone. I dropped it in surprise as Professor Atwood’s face appeared in hologram from the stone which was tipped on its side.

  “Oh dear, what am I looking at?” His bushy eyebrows furrowed as he tilted his head.

  I relaxed my shoulders and suppressed a smile. “Sorry. Hang on.” I reached down and picked the stone off the floor, placing it on my dresser.

  Professor Atwood smoothed his beard. “Ah. Much better.” He straightened his spectacles and looked at me. “I assume you’re ready to begin?”

  “Yes.” My stomach twisted in anticipation.

  “Excellent.” He looked around my room, his eyes stopping on the floor. “That should be adequate space.” His gaze turned back to me. “You will sit cross-legged on the floor for these lessons. If you’d like to place a blanket beneath you to make sitting more comfortable, that’s fine. I’ll wait until you’re ready.”

  I looked at the wood floor dubiously and grabbed the soft throw on top of my bed, arranging it on the floor. I sank down into cross-legged position before giving him a nod. “Ready.”

  “Very good. Now rest your hands in front of you, one cupping the other, like this.” He held up his hands to demonstrate and I recognized the pose. I’d seen pictures like it in the Archive of Buddhist monks meditating. I followed Atwood’s instructions and placed my hands in my lap.

  “Now close your eyes.”

  I raised an eyebrow.

  He held up his hand. “The key to unlocking the ability to Mindspeak lies in total and complete relaxation. You must free your mind—clear it from all distraction as you enter deep meditation.”

  I closed my eyes. “Yes, Master Yoda.”

  “What was that?”

  I squinted one eye open. “Nothing. Sorry.”

  He furrowed his bushy brows. “No more speaking. You must focus.”