We finally reached my room and I flicked on the light, flooding the room in a soft glow. Valarie plonked herself down on my queen bed as soon as she got to it and curled up. I crossed to my wardrobe to find her some sleepwear. I found a large shirt and some loose shorts.
"This will fit you, right?"
I turned, but to my surprise, she was already fast asleep, like a tiny cat. I ditched the sleepwear and crossed the room to remove her shoes, then tucked her in.
After that, I changed clothes and settled in beside Valarie. As I dozed off, another dream formed—of the same girl, in that same world.
* * *
The floors were covered in streaks of blood. Everywhere she looked, there was damage and destruction—portraits had been torn, glass had been shattered, and flowers had been trampled. As if the invaders meant to stamp their mark into everything they could touch, saying “Ours, not yours. Not anymore.”
The girl could barely breathe, her heart hammering in her chest as she was forced to kneel on the cold, hard floor. She recognised many faces, all of which she'd trusted throughout the years.
They glared down at her as if she had meant nothing to them.
"Tell Julian we've got her,” one of the rebels—the same one who had dragged her here—ordered, and another swiftly left the room. Everyone kept their swords pointed at her, ready and waiting for her to try and break free from her restraints. But they did not understand the limitations of her power. She was not a weapon. She was a shield.
The leading rebel then turned to another follower and added, "Did you locate Adrina?"
The girl's heart skipped a beat. No… not her…
"She was found in the library. She gave us false directions, so we've contained her."
Her eyes widened. Adrina had lied—risked her life—to protect her!
"No!” she cried, making everyone jump. They inched their sharp swords forward.
"Silence!” one barked, but she ignored him.
"You have to let her go!” she demanded angrily, tugging at her restraints. "She's just a handmaiden! She's innocent!"
The leading rebel laughed, his dark eyes narrowing as he strode towards her.
"You know nothing, foolish girl,” he said bitingly. "Your death will be a blessing to us all."
The girl wanted to scream at him, but at that moment, the doors opened, and a tall, ruggedly handsome man walked in, dressed in a knight's uniform. The same uniform worn by their royal guard. But… it couldn't be…
"Julian,” the rebel leader greeted, and the girl's heart sank. This man, who her entire family had trusted, had caused this? Had turned on every oath he'd sworn, every battle he'd fought in their honour, just to bring them all down from the inside? Why?
His eyes fixated on the girl, and he looked down on her. She searched his face, trying to find the answers she was seeking, but all she could see was a crown of brown hair and emerald green eyes—as green as a snake slithering in the grass.
I lunged forward, waking up completely drenched in sweat again. My mind was reeling, and I was gasping for breath. I must have shaken the bed, because Valarie sat up beside me too.
"What? What's wrong?” she asked groggily, rubbing her eyes. It was morning again, and she winced in the blinding sunlight, shielding her eyes with disgust. "Ugh, your curtains are crap!” she added, glaring at the decorative brown curtains that my mum insisted upon.
"It was Jason!” I exclaimed, my heart racing. I replayed the image over and over in my head, wondering if I'd mistaken it. But I definitely hadn't.
"What?” she groaned, shaking her head in confusion.
I stumbled out of bed and began pacing slowly as I replayed the dream in my head. I wondered if it was possible that I'd only dreamed of him because he'd been constantly popping up in my life recently. But everything that had happened… it had been a continuation of my previous night's dream. That wasn't normal! No way; it couldn't have been an ordinary dream. And that man—Julian—had looked exactly like Jason. There was no mistaking it!
But how could I explain something like that to Valarie? Even more so, how could I mention it to him? How could I just waltz up to someone I hardly knew and be like, “So I've been dreaming about you dressed in armour, and I was wondering if you could explain why?”
There was no way. But I had to know what this meant.
I was sticky with sweat, and the stench of alcohol from last night wafted off me. Valarie smelt worse, almost like a walking brewery. I let her shower first and lent her some of my clothes. But as soon as she was out, I dashed to the bathroom to clean off all the grime.
When I was done, I met Valarie and Kyra downstairs in the kitchen. Kyra had somehow been roped into making pancakes for Valarie, while Valarie drummed her fingernails on the countertop, her eyes devoid of emotion. She noticed me walk in and straightened up.
"So,” she began, "about last night… I don't suppose you have a plan?"
My heart sank, and I grimaced.
"No,” I said softly as I moved past her. I didn't have the stomach to eat, so instead I poured myself a glass of orange juice and watched as Kyra served up a heap of delicious golden pancakes. I gingerly took a seat on a kitchen stool, sipping my juice. Valarie was momentarily distracted enough to pick at her food, so I had a bit of time to ponder over a possible plan of action.
How did one go about finding a glowing orb, with no directions or clues, in a town the size of Lorelei? Every time I tried to think of a way, I'd come to a dead end and find myself burying my face in my hands.
"What’s up with you?” Kyra asked finally, which made me shoot upright.
"Nothing,” I said quickly. Kyra raised an eyebrow, spooning a fork full of pancake into her mouth.
"You've got heavy circles under your eyes. Have you been sleeping okay?"
I blinked, completely thrown off for a moment.
"Uh, yeah,” I said quickly. She gave me a funny look, but before I could say anything more, the doorbell rang. My heart lurched as I jolted off the kitchen stool, relieved to have an excuse to bail on her analytical stare.
I raced to the front door, but when I opened it, I frowned at the figure standing there.
"Jason?” I questioned disbelievingly. Sure enough, it was him. Why was he on my doorstep?
"Hey,” he greeted quietly. "Can we talk?"
He peered around me, as if trying to see if I had company.
"Uh, sure. Come in,” I said, stepping aside, but he shook his head.
"Alone,” he said firmly. I frowned again. Why did it have to be alone?
"Lucy?” Valarie called from the kitchen, and a surge of panic shot through me. If she saw him here—
Evidently, he'd had the same thought.
"Meet me at the clearing in five, okay?” he said before turning and leaving. My jaw dropped open in protest, but I didn't even have time to say anything. Heaving a sigh, I let the door swing shut and grabbed my shoes before ducking back to the kitchen to re-join Kyra and Valarie. Their gazes focused on me once more.
"Who was that?” Kyra asked.
"Uh,” I said quickly. They paused, forks halfway to their mouths, and I couldn't seem to think of an excuse on the spot. "I have to go. There's… uh…” I racked my brain for an idea. Then I remembered Valarie had sewing class at the same time that I took history. "My partner for history messed up our joint assignment, so I have to race over and help."
Valarie’s brow furrowed as I shoved my shoes on. "Really?” she pressed, her fingers curling tightly around her fork. "You don't think it could wait? Just considering everything that’s going on right now?"
I pursed my lips as guilt shot through me. She was right—why was I ditching her for Jason? But something in his eyes told me this was important.
"I'll be back soon,” I promised. "I'll find you later."
I yanked on my other shoe and gave her an apologetic look before racing back to the foyer and out the front door. My pace was brisk as I walked down the street, trying
to appear somewhat normal. But when I reached the dirt track, I began running. Five minutes later, I emerged in the clearing where I'd been knocked unconscious only a few days prior. Funnily enough, that incident seemed almost like a dream now.
Jason was waiting nearby, and he spotted me. I approached him, my eyebrows raised expectantly. I remembered the dream from last night, and the urge to ask him outright about it rose inside me. But even if I brought it up, how could he explain something that was in my head?
I shook the thought away and focused on the task at hand.
"So what's so important that you couldn't tell me back at the house?” I asked, not bothering to greet him. He shifted his stance, glancing over his shoulder. He seemed… almost nervous? It was the most uncollected I'd ever seen him.
"Look,” he said firmly, shoving his hands into the pockets of that jacket he always wore. I didn't know how he could stand wearing it—the late autumn air had a pretty nasty bite to it, but in the direct sunlight, I was sweating.
"What happened last night was sort of my fault, and I want to help you make it right."
I grimaced. It hadn't really been his fault, but he hadn't exactly helped us in the heat of the moment, either. So I was a little wary to trust him.
I folded my arms. "What do you mean?"
"That thing that Chrissy is after?” he asked. "The glowing orb?"
I nodded slowly.
"Well… she only cornered you into this because I told her you had it."
Shocked and confused, I widened my eyes and resisted the urge to clench my fists.
"What?” I seethed. Jason nodded with a frown.
"I didn't expect her to act out this way. And I got Valarie into this mess now, too. That's the last thing I wanted. So I'm going to help you get that orb."
I shook my head, still processing it.
"I don't understand,” I said quickly. "What even is this orb? Why did you say something like that to her? And what's the deal with you and Valarie anyway? She told me there was nothing going on between you two."
He shrugged. "There isn't,” he confirmed. "But she's a good person, and she doesn't deserve this. As for Chrissy…"
He trailed off, like he wanted to say more but couldn't. Finally, he said, "Put it this way—I know her pretty well. And she has dirt on me too. That's why I had to tell her that you had the orb, even though I knew you didn't. It was… meant to protect someone."
I shook my head, sighing in exasperation as the new information filled my head. But then I realised something: Jason had been there the night that glowing orb had knocked me out. And I'd assumed he thought I was crazy.
But if he was admitting to all of this, then… did that mean he hadn't thought that at all? Did he maybe know what it was?
"If you told her I had it,” I said slowly, narrowing my eyes, "then do you know who really has it?"
Something flickered in Jason's eyes, and he nodded.
"It's somewhere safe. Somewhere she won't be able to find it."
"Where?” I insisted, taking a step towards him. I didn't know what the stupid orb was, or why it was so crucial that Chrissy have it or not have it. I just wanted to protect Valarie, and if a measly orb was the only thing in the way of that, I'd hand it over in a heartbeat.
"It's with Andrew,” Jason said finally. "At the observatory."
* * *
Jason claimed he had no vehicle of his own, and Andrew wasn't picking up, so Jason called Adam to come give us a ride. To be honest, I was surprised he was even sober enough to drive after last night.
When I'd inquired how they'd become friends, Adam said they had met at a former football game Jason had played at. Except Jason had been on the opposing team, which gave me more information about him in the space of a minute than I'd managed to find out since I'd met him a few days ago; not only was Jason older than Valarie and I, but he'd probably attended the public school, and not our private school.
"So, is this the place?” Adam asked, pulling up outside the observatory. It was a tall white building with a dome roof, and one of those giant telescope things was pointing out of it. The sides were covered in creeper ivy.
"I'd say so,” I replied, grabbing my bag and placing a hand on the door handle. "Thanks so much for the ride, Adam."
"Yeah, I owe you one,” Jason said, also prepping to get out.
"You bet you do!” Adam replied. "Especially after you left so early last night. You missed all the fun!"
Jason grimaced, and Adam continued, "That lap dance that Valarie gave me wasn't even the best part of the night. Though she was damn sexy…"
"Right,” was all Jason said as he got out. I noticed a dark expression cross his face, and funnily enough, I could relate. Even I was hesitant to thank Adam for the ride after his comment, but I swallowed my disapproval and muttered a thank-you before stepping out. Once he'd driven off, we proceeded up the steps of the observatory.
Looking through the glass doors, I noticed a man at the front desk, but it wasn't Andrew. He had light brown hair and glasses, and his skin seemed to gleam. He looked up and smiled as we pushed open the doors.
"Hello,” he greeted. "Welcome to Lorelei Observatory. How can I help you?"
"Is Andrew here?” Jason asked, leaning casually on the countertop.
"No, he's out at the moment. But he should be back in an hour or two, if you want to wait for him. We have an area where you can use some of the telescopes while you wait. Would that interest you?"
"Sure,” I said, forcing a smile. The man—his nametag read Walter—led us through another set of doors and up onto a metal platform, where rows of different telescopes were set up. As we walked down the platform, I noticed all sorts of strange equipment on the floor below. Microscopes and constellation charts were lined against a far wall, and there was even a small mobile of planets hanging nearby.
"Have you ever used one of these before?” Walter asked us, gesturing to a telescope. I was so distracted trying to look around that I didn't respond. Jason stepped in.
"No, we haven't,” he said. He gestured to one of them. "How does this one work?”
Walter went off on a tangent as he explained each part of the telescope and its functions. I continued to look around, noticing an emergency exit under the staircase opposite, and a bunch of display tables with different colourful rocks that had probably been examined.
Without thinking, I wandered away from Walter and Jason and over to those tables, drawn by the pretty colours. I didn't know what they were, but I knew they'd come from outer space.
Something occurred to me. The glowing orb had come from the sky, travelling so fast it had knocked me out. I wondered if perhaps it had come from space.
"Excuse me,” I said, turning back to Walter, and he looked up. I pointed to the rocks. "Did you collect these yourself?"
"Our team did,” Walter explained, walking over. "Andrew knows more about them though—he could tell you about those rocks and where they came from."
"How did you find them?” I asked nonchalantly. "Did they just… fall to Earth?"
"They did,” Walter nodded. "We track everything that comes within range, and we usually send two or three people out to examine the site."
I nodded slowly. "So… if, say, an asteroid… or even a star came into orbit…” I offered, gauging his reaction carefully, "… would you know about that?"
Walter seemed to hesitate before he nodded. "Yes."
I kept my tone light and casual. "Did anything like that happen to come into orbit recently?"
He straightened his posture. "Unfortunately, we can't discuss that with you.”
Something in Walter's demeanour had suddenly changed. He seemed… protective. Aggressive, even. He watched me with wary eyes and turned edgy. Even Jason seemed to notice this as he crossed over to my side.
"Thank you very much,” Jason said to him, trying to dissolve the tension. "Do you mind if we just look around a bit?"
"I can't allow you to be here unsu
pervised,” Walter said firmly. "Unless there's something else I can help you with, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
Surprised at this about-face, I exchanged a glance with Jason, who returned a questioning look. I began to panic, my heart thumping. I was definitely onto something here. I couldn't leave without knowing what that was.
"I… I have to use the bathroom,” I blurted out. I needed time to come up with an excuse to stay. Jason’s brow furrowed. Walter opened his mouth to protest.
"It's an emergency,” I added quickly. "A girl emergency."
Jason let out a choked sound as Walter's expression became pained.
"It's down the hall,” he said finally, pointing me towards it. I scurried past them, praying that Jason could talk Walter into explaining something else while I was gone. I raced down the metal steps towards the bathrooms, passing a white door on my way. It had a name plate that read Andrew Kingston.
I slowed my pace.
There was a glass pane on the door, and I inched forward to peek inside.
My heart lurched.
There was that glowing orb. It was concealed in a glass box behind the desk, silvery and smooth. I needed to get to that orb! But I couldn't risk being seen by Walter or Jason.
Well, maybe Jason…
I looked around and spotted a fire alarm button. Looking back at Walter, I noticed the two boys were deep in conversation, completely oblivious to me.
An idea formed.
I reached over and smacked the button, and a loud ringing sound began to blare, followed by flashing red lights. Before anyone could react, I ducked into the ladies’ toilets and hid there.
Surely they'd be more focused on getting outside first, and would assume I'd have the sense to follow. Besides, I was meant to be peeing. There wasn't much one could do when you were in the middle of that.
I opened the bathroom door just a crack—enough to keep an eye on what was happening. I saw Jason and Walter heading out of the observatory, and when I was certain the coast was clear, I made a mad dash out of the bathrooms and into Andrew's office.
Lanterns In The Sky Page 5
