Silence of Stars

by Holly J. Wood

  “I will. I’m sorry.” I closed my eyes again, but couldn’t keep one corner of my mouth from lifting as I mentally rearranged his words to say, “Focus, you must.”

  He cleared his throat and I wiped the smile away.

  “Now, as I was saying, I want you to free your mind from all thought. I’m going to play some music as I speak to you. You will enter a hypnotic state, but don’t be alarmed. Although under hypnosis, you will still be in control of your actions. The goal is to train your mind to be able to enter Mindspeak without needing the hypnosis. Are you ready?”

  I hesitated and then gave a slight nod. I didn’t love the thought of being hypnotized, but if hypnosis was what it took to be able to return Gideon’s Claim, I would gladly do it. I tilted my head as soft music played from Atwood’s hologram. It was unlike anything I’d heard before, the strains immediately causing every muscle in my body to relax. It played for several minutes before Atwood spoke again. When I heard his voice, it was in my mind.

  You have entered the first stage of meditation. My voice will place you into a deeper phase of consciousness. Open your mind to this voice, and allow it to unlock the words of your heart.

  My breathing grew slow and deep. Each inhale and exhale cleansed from the inside as he repeated the same phrase over and over. I was falling into a deep sleep, vaguely aware that the phrase was changing before I let go and sank into unconsciousness.

  CHAPTER

  Thirty-Two

  “Lark, wake up.”

  I bolted upright, startled by Nadia’s voice.

  She touched my shoulder. “Are you alright? What are you doing on the floor?”

  I put a hand to my head, which felt strangely light. As if through a fog, I remembered Professor Atwood and the meditating. I darted a glance to the stone on my dresser, but the hologram was gone. I blinked in relief before turning to Nadia.

  “I, um . . . guess I fell asleep here last night.”

  She scrutinized me. “On the floor?”

  I rolled out my shoulders as my mind raced for an explanation. “Yeah. Sometimes we do that on Earth.” I rose to my feet, ignoring the kinks in my back as I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye.

  She looked skeptical but finally shrugged. “Okay. It’s time for breakfast. Gideon’s already left for his training, and I’ve been assigned as your new Guardian.”

  My heart sank, missing Gideon already. I forced a smile so Nadia wouldn’t be hurt. “That’s great.”

  She smiled in return and I focused on her for the first time. There were bags under her eyes. It looked like she hadn’t slept at all last night.

  “Any news on Slade?” I asked.

  “No.” Her eyes darted away from mine. “We’d better get going.”

  “I’ll throw something on and be down in a sec.”

  “Okay.”

  I waited until she closed the door behind her and then hurried to my closet to change. I couldn’t wait to talk to Professor Atwood.

  >

  Cypris was running late, so Nadia and I decided to take our own Orb to the Academy. I stared out the window as Nadia flipped through the same interactive textbook she’d been reading yesterday. I glanced at the cover.

  “Enemy Evasions?”

  She nodded, not looking up from the page. “I have an exam today which I’m destined to fail, which in turn will pull down my whole average.” Her mouth twisted into a frown.

  “You still have to take it even though you’re my Guardian now?”

  “Unfortunately, yes.” She looked up. “But don’t worry, I’ll take the test while you’re at lunch.” She swiped onto a new page.

  My breath caught and a chill ran over my arms. I pointed at the moving image. “Wh-who is that?”

  She grimaced, turning the book so I could see better. “That’s Roth. The leader of the Lilthe. We talked about him, remember? Told you he was hideous.”

  I stared at the malicious creature who barely looked human. It was a close-up of his snarling face. His skin had a greenish hue and was covered in bumps like a toad’s—but his eyes. I had seen those muddy brown eyes up close. And just below one eye was a birthmark.

  “Lark, what is it? You look pale.” Nadia closed the book and took my arm.

  I swallowed. “I need to see Grace.”

  >

  I ignored the stares of passing Recruits as I rushed through the halls, Nadia following on my heels. As soon as we reached the elevator I pushed the button to go up.

  “Are you going to tell me what this is about?” Nadia asked, placing her hands on her knees to take a breath.

  “Not here.” I glanced around, catching sight of Isabel and Skye rushing toward us.

  “Lark, hang on!” Isabel called.

  I turned, one eye watching for the elevator to open. They caught up to us and Isabel placed a white stone in my hand.

  “Professor Atwood asked me to give this to you. He said you dropped it at lunch yesterday.”

  “Thanks.” I closed my fingers around the stone, anxious to see the message it contained.

  Isabel pulled me aside, her brown eyes tight with worry. “I’ve discovered something. When can you talk?”

  The elevator doors slid open. I turned to her with an apologetic shake of the head. “Not now. I’ve got something important to do. I’ll meet you at lunch.”

  She nodded and Nadia and I stepped into the elevator.

  Skye frowned at us through the open elevator doors. “Where’s Gideon?”

  “Training. I’m Lark’s new Guardian now,” Nadia answered coolly. She pressed the button for the Terrace before giving Skye a dirty look.

  “Oh . . . well, see you guys later,” Skye said as the doors began to close.

  “Thanks again, Isabel.” I winked and she gave me a wave, her eyes still tight as the doors slid shut.

  I turned to Nadia. “You know, what happened with Slade isn’t Skye’s fault.”

  She folded her arms. “As far as I’m concerned it is. Slade wouldn’t have attacked Gideon if he hadn’t asked Skye to the dance.”

  I shook my head and looked away. “Sooner or later we all have to be accountable for our actions. I know it’s easier to blame someone else, but Slade made a choice. No one forced him to attack.”

  Nadia looked at the glass ceiling and shifted her weight, clearly not agreeing with me. I let the subject drop, but couldn’t help but notice that she was different from the Nadia I’d met a few days ago. I wondered if Gideon noticed, or if he was too busy with his new training to see the changes in his sister.

  The elevator came to a stop and my thoughts snapped back to the urgent matter at hand. We exited as soon as the doors slid open, moving straight toward the administrative offices. Once we were inside, Phyla looked up from her desk in surprise.

  “Good morning, Captain Taylor. What can I do for you?”

  “I need to see Lieutenant Hardcastle.”

  She pulled up a holographic screen, her brows pulling together behind her glasses. “I’m sorry, but the lieutenant isn’t taking any appointments today. She’s cancelled all meetings and has asked not to be interrupted.” She looked away from the screen to offer an apologetic shrug.

  I stepped forward, placing both of my hands on the desk. “I need to see her immediately. It’s urgent.”

  The tight bun in her hair stayed in place as she shook her head. “That’s not possible. However, I can check to see if she has an opening tomorrow.” She peered at the screen.

  “Tomorrow might be too late.” I turned and took off down the hall. Nadia and Phyla called after me, but I didn’t stop. The door to Grace’s office was locked. I pounded on it with my fist.

  “Grace! It’s Lark. Open the door, I need to talk to you!” I yelled, pounding again.

  “Captain Taylor! What do you think you’re doing?” Phyla demanded, her wiry arms surprisingly strong as she pulled at me from behind. I fought against her, throwing myse
lf at the door again, but then Nadia came into the mix. They each took one of my arms and forced me back.

  “Lark, get a hold of yourself!” Nadia cried.

  A brilliant red flash exploded from within Grace’s office, the light escaping from the seams around the door. We all stopped to stare. Seconds later the door slid open.

  “Phyla, didn’t I specifically ask not to be disturbed?” Grace demanded, looking like a mad scientist with hair askew and sporting a pair of darkened light screens. When she saw me she frowned. “Lark, what are you doing here? Was that you pounding on my door?”

  I was about to answer when Gideon appeared behind her, also wearing screens. I gaped at him. “You’re learning Light Kill . . . from Grace?”

  She straightened. “Cadet North’s training is not your concern. What I want to know is why you aren’t observing class, Captain.”

  I rolled my eyes. “There’s no time for formality. I need to speak to you about something urgent.”

  Nadia made a small choking sound. I knew I was overstepping my bounds, but I didn’t care.

  Grace pursed her lips and gave a curt nod. “Alright. Everyone out while I have a private audience with Captain Taylor.”

  Phyla sniffed, but Gideon and Nadia did as they were told. Gideon pushed his screens back on his head, his eyes searching mine.

  I miss you. I tried using Mindspeak, hoping my lesson with Atwood last night had unlocked the ability. But even as I thought the words, I knew he couldn’t hear them. He dropped his eyes and left the room.

  CHAPTER

  Thirty-Three

  Grace folded her screens and placed them on her desk. “What’s this all about?”

  I took a deep breath. “I saw a picture of Roth in Nadia’s textbook. Have you seen him before?”

  She tilted her head. “Not in person. How do you know about the leader of the Lilthe?”

  I ignored the question. “Can you pull up his image?”

  She gave me a strange look before moving around her desk and pulling up a holographic screen. After typing for a second, Roth’s hideous picture appeared.

  I shuddered. “Zoom in on his face.”

  She pinched the screen and brought it out until Roth’s face was half as big as her desk. It was so ugly it made my stomach turn.

  I pointed at the picture. “I’ve seen him before—in person. He was on Earth nine years ago.”

  She shook her head. “The Lilthe only infiltrate planets after they hit the Council’s radar. They blend in and wreak havoc in the hopes that inhabitants will fail the grace period and be destroyed.”

  I squirmed. Had I really just barged in here with a false alarm? “So, Roth’s presence on Earth wouldn’t be unusual?”

  “Not unusual—impossible.”

  I tilted my head.

  She leaned back on her desk. “Earth appeared on the Council’s list only one year ago. The Lilthe would have no reason to infiltrate before then. Especially not Roth. He is very careful to stay off-planet to prevent being tracked by the Council. He sends his pawns to do the dirty work.”

  I shook my head. “He was there.” I bit my lip, considering the consequences of what I was about to do. “I have proof.”

  She raised an eyebrow, waiting.

  I reached into my bag and unzipped a small compartment, bringing out my phone. Grace’s eyes darkened as soon as she saw the phone in my hand.

  I hurried on. “I brought it with me. I know it was against the rules, and I understand if I have to be punished for that, but I need you to watch this video first.”

  She sighed and shook her head as I powered up my phone. It immediately beeped a warning that the battery was dying. I prayed it would last long enough. I pulled up the video at the Supreme Court and fast-forwarded until just a few seconds before the frame I wanted. I handed the phone to Grace and stood beside her. As soon as the man with the birthmark appeared, I paused the video and zoomed in on his face.

  Grace tensed.

  “Do you see it?” I asked.

  She tapped on her holographic keyboard and suddenly the image on my phone was pulled up alongside the image of Roth. Her eyes narrowed.

  I leaned forward. “Grace, do you see it?”

  Her mouth formed a line as she superimposed the two images. The air around us went very still. She put a hand to her forehead. “It’s him.”

  I couldn’t pry my eyes away. “What does this mean?”

  She pulled in a deep breath. “I don’t know, but it isn’t good.” She rubbed small circles on her temples. “It appears that Roth may be infiltrating planets before they hit liability status.”

  I paused, the weight of what she was saying sinking in. “Is it possible he’s trying to make them a liability?”

  She pinned me with a look that said I’d read her mind.

  I tapped my finger on her desk. “It would make sense, right? I mean, they would definitely have something to gain.” I paused, my heart pounding as the pieces fell into place. “Our records began to be modified about eight years ago.”

  Grace held my gaze and slowly shook her head. “The Lilthe are scavengers. They’re smart, but not smart enough to come up with a scheme like this.” She dropped her hands. “It doesn’t make sense.”

  I twisted the hem of my sleeve. I had more information, but if I told, it could mean serious consequences for me and Skye. I looked at the picture of Roth again and blew out a breath. “There’s something else.”

  Grace turned, her eyes lined with fatigue. “I’m not sure I can handle any more surprises from you today.”

  I chewed my bottom lip, sensing this revelation wouldn’t go over as well as my contraband phone. I cleared my throat. “I sort of convinced Cadet Elliot to take me in her airship the other night.”

  She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Go on.”

  I swallowed. “She took me to see Bahira. We only meant to go for a quick flight and come back—but we ran into a Lilthe Fury.”

  Her eyes opened. “It must have been another ship. A Fury couldn’t get that close to Bahira undetected.”

  I met her with a steady gaze. “Somehow they did. And they attacked us.”

  She shook her head slowly. I could almost see new wrinkles forming. “How did you escape?”

  I swallowed and looked at the floor. “We destroyed their ship.”

  Grace covered her face with her hands and didn’t speak for several moments. I had a feeling I was in for the mother of all punishments. Would she send me home? Or worse . . . ship me off to the prison planet? Whatever the consequence, I couldn’t let Skye take the fall with me.

  “I know I have to be punished, but please don’t blame Skye. I tricked her into taking me, and she was the one who saved us. None of this is her fault.”

  Grace lowered her hands, her face grim. “I hate to think what this could mean. Not only is it probable that the Lilthe recognized our Academy airship, but it’s likely they sent word to other Lilthe before you destroyed them. They are an extremely vengeful race. And the fact that they were able to get so close to Bahira—”

  Her cuff buzzed, interrupting her midsentence. She glanced at it and frowned. “It’s security.” She tapped the screen, turning away from me. “Go ahead.”

  “Lieutenant, we have a situation down here—Code Black.”

  Grace’s back stiffened. “Cause of death?”

  I gasped and felt the blood drain from my face. A few seconds ticked by before the security guard answered.

  “Light Kill.”

  CHAPTER

  Thirty-Four

  The air squeezed out of my lungs. I sank into a chair as the room spun. This wasn’t happening.

  Grace raised a shaky hand to her forehead. “Where is the perpetrator? Is the area secure?”

  “No trace of the perpetrator, but he can’t be far. The body was discovered by the victim’s Guardian. We have the area secure and are awaiting orders.”


  It was a Recruit. What if it was Rusty? I covered my mouth with my hand, afraid I was going to be sick. “Who is it?” I whispered through my fingers.

  Grace ignored me and walked toward the door. I followed, my legs feeling detached from my body.

  She spoke into her cuff. “Put the Academy on lockdown. I want all Recruits, Guardians and Staff to meet in the Auditorium. No one leaves this building, understood?”

  “Understood, Lieutenant.”

  She clicked off her cuff and I followed as she rushed to the front office, barking out orders to Phyla to send out a school-wide alert.

  Gideon and Nadia stood from the chairs they’d been waiting in, their faces ashen as they listened. Nadia paced near the windows, biting her thumbnail. Gideon came to stand beside me.

  “Do you know who it is?” he whispered.

  Phyla broadcasted the announcement.

  I shook my head, feeling hot tears prick the back of my eyes.

  His face softened and he touched my arm. It’s going to be alright. I’ll keep you safe. I promise.

  I closed my eyes, allowing his Mindspeak to calm from the inside before shaking my head. Until he could hear me back, I couldn’t let him do it.

  Grace motioned to us. “You three, to the Auditorium.” She turned to Gideon. “If you encounter the suspect, you know what to do. I’m going to the crime scene to investigate.”

  Gideon nodded. We watched wordlessly as Grace strode to the elevators. She spoke quietly to her cuff. Just before the elevator doors closed behind her, I heard the name of the victim.

  Recruit Isabel Flores.

  >

  We sat together in the Auditorium, the large assembly eerily quiet. I had my head on my knees to hide the tears that wouldn’t stop coming. I couldn’t get over the shock that Isabel was dead. Murdered. I’d seen her less than an hour ago. How could she be gone? I squeezed my eyes shut and bit down on the inside of my cheek to keep from sobbing.

  Rusty patted my back, rubbing slow circles. He bent down and spoke quietly into my ear, “It’s okay to cry. We’re all hurting.”

  I lifted my head. The sympathy in his hazel eyes made my face crumple. He drew me in for a hug. I sensed the immediate tension coming from Gideon on my other side, so I didn’t hug him long before drawing back. I wiped under my eyes with my ring fingers.